Etymologically
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imperialis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪm.pɛ.riˈaː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [im.pe.riˈaː.lis][1]

Forms

imperiālis (neuter imperiāle); third-declension two-termination adjective[1] It is also spelled inperiālis.[2]

Etymology

It is from imperium “command, empire” with the suffix -ālis.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Ulpian, who wrote before 223 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant of the Roman emperor, imperial.[2]

Medieval Latin used it for imperial, and as a noun for a gold coin and, in the neuter, a silk cloth, hominēs imperiālēs were courtiers.[5][4] British Medieval Latin used it of emperors, their insignia, ceremonial and court.[6] It survives in Italian imperiale and French and Spanish impérial, imperial, and through Old French it gave English imperial in the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it.[4]
  • 876–887 – Carolingian charters use it.[4]
  • late 14th century – English imperial is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Of the emperor, imperial.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) As a noun, a gold coin.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press