Show Search Results Show Browse

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Imperial(l, adj.1 Also: -alle, imperyalle, -eall, inperieall; imperiale; inperiell. [ME. imperyall, imperial(l (Chaucer), L. imperiālis. Cf. Emperiall a.]

1. Pertaining to the Roman or Holy Roman Empire, or to the (Roman or German) Emperor. c1420 Wynt. v. 1277.
The empryoure Schyre Adriane … made lawys imperialle
1456 Hay I. 24/28.
And as the mone takis fra the sonne hir licht, sa dois the dignitee imperiale fra the dignitee papale
1469 Acts II. 95/1.
That ful faith be given to all instrumentis gevin of before be the imperiale notaris

2. a. Pertaining to any empire or emperor. b. Pertaining to any great sovereign state or its ruler.(a) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1427.
He wald bere no croun imperiall Quhill [etc.]
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 147.
Imperiall birth, honour and dignite
1513 Doug. vii. iv. 46.
Thar stude a gret tempil or sail ryall Of Lawrent cite seyt imperiall [R. impereall]
1533 Bell. Livy I. 215/10.
The consull, clothit in his cote armoure and habit imperiall
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1976.
As quhen one prouince … Had hole power imperiall … Abufe all … nationis
Ib. 4134.
Thir foure gret monarcheis In thare most hiest pompe imperiallis
1560 Rolland Seven S. 8849.
Considdering I am of blude royall Discendit doun of stock imperiall
a1578 Pitsc. II. 129/3.
The imperieall croun of Scottland togither witht the septar … thairof
(b) 1456 Hay I. 107/28.
Ȝit is thare sindry othir realmes … the quhilkis has be writt thair jurisdiccioun imperiale
Ib. 209/16.
The King of France may … us all power … ryall and imperiale
c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxvii. 5.
Our chairbunkle chosin of hye imperiale blud, Our roys riale
(c) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4555.
Ane nobill kaip imperiell [: tell], … For princely and imperiall fulis

3. fig. and transf. Supreme, pre-eminent, excellent. c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 254.
O reuerend Chaucere … in our tong ane flour imperiall
1513 Doug. Æn. Direct. 58.
Of eloquence the flude, … Soverane fontane and flume imperiall
15.. Clar. iii. 988.
Hir bewtie that stude imperiall Abouth all uther ladies that was thair
Ib. iv. 732.

b. absol. as noun: The supreme being. 15.. Dunb. App. xi. 39.
Beseiking him … Us to ressave … In to the hevin quhair the imperiall ringis

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Imperial adj.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/imperiall_adj_1>

19472

dost

Hide Advanced Search

Browse DOST:

    Loading...

Share: