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peremptory

[puh-remp-tuh-ree, per-uh mp-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
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adjective
  1. leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command.
  2. imperious or dictatorial.
  3. positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc.
  4. Law.
    1. that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc.: a peremptory edict.
    2. decisive or final.
    3. in which a command is absolute and unconditional: a peremptory writ.
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Origin of peremptory

1505–15; < Latin peremptōrius final, decisive, literally, deadly, destructive (derivative of perimere to take away fully, destroy, slay), equivalent to per- per- + em-, base of emere to buy, orig. to take + -tōrius -tory1, with intrusive p
Related formsper·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbper·emp·to·ri·ness, nouno·ver·per·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbo·ver·per·emp·to·ri·ly·ness, nouno·ver·per·emp·to·ry, adjectiveun·per·emp·to·ri·ly, adverbun·per·emp·to·ri·ness, nounun·per·emp·to·ry, adjective
Can be confusedperemptory preemptive

Synonyms

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2. arbitrary, dogmatic, domineering.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for peremptorily

Historical Examples

  • Peremptorily I dismissed these harassing and frightful doubts.

    The Room in the Dragon Volant

    J. Sheridan LeFanu

  • We reached the Porta Fodesta, and peremptorily bade the guard to open for us.

    The Strolling Saint

    Raphael Sabatini

  • She waved him peremptorily, almost contemptuously, into silence.

    The Sea-Hawk

    Raphael Sabatini

  • "Citoyenne, I am waiting for you to alight," he said peremptorily.

  • "I will not be tormented with these requests, Parkes," said he, peremptorily.

British Dictionary definitions for peremptorily

peremptory

adjective
  1. urgent or commandinga peremptory ring on the bell
  2. not able to be remitted or debated; decisive
  3. positive or assured in speech, manner, etc; dogmatic
  4. law
    1. admitting of no denial or contradiction; precluding debate
    2. obligatory rather than permissive
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Derived Formsperemptorily, adverbperemptoriness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Anglo-Norman peremptorie, from Latin peremptōrius decisive, from perimere to take away completely, from per- (intensive) + emere to take
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 peremptorily

peremptory

adj.

"decisive," mid-15c., legal term, from Anglo-French peremptorie, from Middle French peremtoire, from Latin peremptorius "destructive, decisive, final," from peremptor "destroyer," from perimpere "destroy, cut off," from per- "away entirely, to destruction" (see per) + emere "to take" (see exempt (adj.)). Of persons or their words, "certain, assured, brooking no debate," 1580s. Related: Peremptorily.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper