magisterial

[maj-uh-steer-ee-uh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR magisterial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or befitting a master; authoritative; weighty; of importance or consequence: a magisterial pronouncement by the director of the board.

imperious; domineering: a magisterial tone of command.

of or befitting a magistrate or the office of a magistrate: The judge spoke with magisterial gravity.

of the rank of a magistrate: magisterial standing.

Nearby words

Origin of magisterial

1625–35; < Late Latin magisteriālis; see magisterium, -al¹

Related formsmag·is·te·ri·al·ly, adverbmag·is·te·ri·al·ness, nounun·mag·is·te·ri·al, adjective

Can be confusedmagisterial magistrate majestic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for magisterial

Called “The Sword and Sovereignty,” it is a magisterial work running to more than 2,000 pages.
‘A Ghastly Waste of Time?’ Considering the Constitution|Seth Lipsky|January 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He lacks the magisterial tone of Colm Tóibín or the florid and fertile imagination of Patrick McCabe.
Great Irish Adventures|Allen Barra|June 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Paganini himself, the most wild and singular of players, did not acquire his excellence independently of magisterial rule.
The Violin|George Dubourg
By this, the magisterial decision can be held over to allow the making of a claim of previous ownership within a hundred years.
The Mystery of the Sea|Bram Stoker

The power of love and complicated interest must do more than magisterial commands.
A Christian Directory (Part 2 of 4)|Richard Baxter
The Earl in his magisterial seat—bitter mockery of justice—prepared to sit in judgment on a wretch not half so guilty as himself.
Edward Barnett; a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,--and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams|Tobias Aconite
She looked miserable enough, and still received the stab of her guest's magisterial tongue like an affliction from heaven.
Bohemian Days|Geo. Alfred Townsend

British Dictionary definitions for magisterial

magisterial

adjective

commanding; authoritative

domineering; dictatorial

of or relating to a teacher or person of similar status

of or relating to a magistrate

Derived Formsmagisterially, adverbmagisterialness, noun

Word Origin for magisterial

C17: from Late Latin magisteriālis, from magister master

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for magisterial

magisterial

adj.

1630s, from Medieval Latin magisterialis "of or pertaining to the office of magistrate, director, or teacher," from Late Latin magisterius "having authority of a magistrate," from magister "chief, director" (see master (n.)). Related: Magisterially.