Etymologically

imperiose

Etymology and origin of the Latin word imperiose

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Varro
Ultimate origin
Latin (parō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin imperiosus
Latin imperiose

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪm.pɛ.riˈoː.seː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [im.pe.riˈɔː.s̬e][1]

Forms

imperiōsē (not comparable)[1] Also spelled inperiōsē.[2]

Etymology

It is from Latin imperiōsus (“imperious”) + -ē, an adverb; ⟨imperiōsus⟩ is from imperium (“command, power”), from imperō (“to command”).[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Varro, quoted by Nonius, in the comparative imperiōsius.[3][4] Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant in an authoritarian manner, imperiously, as in Varro and Gellius.[2][4]

British Medieval Latin used it for by the exercise of authority.[5]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses imperiōsius.[4][3]
  • c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it.[4][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In an authoritarian manner, imperiously.[2][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Imperiose.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/imperiose. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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