magisterial
[maj-uh-steer-ee-uh l]
- 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.
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Origin of magisterial
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
authoritativeautocraticdomineeringegotisticimperiousmasterfulpompousarrogantaugustbossydictatorialdignifieddogmaticjudicialloftylordlyoverbearingstatelystuffyExamples from the Web for magisterial
Contemporary Examples
Called “The Sword and Sovereignty,” it is a magisterial work running to more than 2,000 pages.
He lacks the magisterial tone of Colm Tóibín or the florid and fertile imagination of Patrick McCabe.
Historical Examples
A magisterial study it was, which not one of our "young masters" could paint.
His MasterpieceEmile Zola
Such was the man entrusted with more than magisterial power.
I have had the magisterial account already, and now wish to have yours.
DulcibelHenry Peterson
"Then I am more learned than they are," said l'Encuerado, with a magisterial air.
Adventures of a Young NaturalistLucien Biart
It was in this magisterial attitude that he began the examination.
Notre-Dame de ParisVictor Hugo
magisterial
- commanding; authoritative
- domineering; dictatorial
- of or relating to a teacher or person of similar status
- of or relating to a magistrate
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Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin magisteriālis, from magister master
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for 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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper