emperor

[ em-per-er ]

noun

1. the male sovereign or supreme ruler of an empire:

   the emperors of Rome.

2. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 48 × 72 inches (122 × 183 centimeters).

emperor

/ ˈɛmpərə /

noun

1. a monarch who rules or reigns over an empire
2. Also calledemperor moth any of several large saturniid moths with eyelike markings on each wing, esp Saturnia pavonia of Europe See also giant peacock moth
3. See purple emperor

Derived Forms

• ˈemperorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• emper·or·ship noun
• pre·emper·or noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emperor¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English empero(u)r, (from Anglo-French; Old French empereor, from Latin imperātor, originally, “one who gives orders, ruler,” equivalent to imperā(re) “to order, command” ( im- “in” + -perāre, combining form of parāre “to provide, get ready” ) + -tor noun suffix of agency; im- ¹, prepare, -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of emperor¹

C13: from Old French empereor, from Latin imperātor commander-in-chief, from imperāre to command, from im- + parāre to make ready

Example Sentences

The treasure, consisting of 1,368 Iron Age and Roman coins, includes the largest collection from the emperor's reign ever found.

From BBC

Also new to domestic theaters this weekend was “Gladiator II,” which stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington as dueling warriors and emperors of ancient Rome.

From Los Angeles Times

Ancient Rome's emperors once feared the wind power along the “insane mountains” on this island.

From Salon

He explained that when the Colosseum was opened during the reign of emperor Titus, historical reenactments of naval battles from the 5th century BC were staged.

From Los Angeles Times

Twin emperors rule Rome in an uneasy brotherly alliance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• czar
• dictator
• empress
• king
• monarch
• sultan