Definition of "royal"

royal

/ˈɹɔɪəl/

adjective
comparative more royal, superlative most royal
1. Of or relating to a monarch or his (or her) family.
  Quotations
  He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. […] But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […]
  1909, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], “A Court Ball”, in The Squire’s Daughter, New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead and Company, published 1919, page 9
  On the first Friday morning of his kingship he went into the kitchen and called for his royal chef.
  2011, Marilyn Price, Grandma's Cookies, page 7
2. Having the air or demeanour of a monarch; illustrious; magnanimous; of more than common size or excellence.
  Quotations
  How doth that royal Merchant good Anthonio;
  c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii], page 175, column 2
3. (nautical) In large sailing ships, of a mast right above the topgallant mast and its sails.
4. (boxing, military) Free-for-all, especially involving multiple combatants.
5. (informal) Used as an intensifier.
6. (chess) Describing a piece which, if captured, results in loss of game.
noun
plural royals
1. (somewhat informal, often capitalised) A royal person; a member of a royal family.
  Quotations
  Andy noted in RAIL 462: "The Royals are bound to have a great say in the decoration of the train and it speaks volumes for their regard for it that there are so many portraits of previous Royal Trains and items presented on trips. I sense they're extremely fond of it."
  2022 September 21, Philip Haigh, “Comment: Her Majesty's final journey”, in RAIL, number 966, page 3
2. (paper, printing) A standard size of printing paper, measuring 25 by 20 inches.
3. (paper) A standard size of writing paper, measuring 24 by 19 inches.
4. (dated) The Australian decimal currency intended to replace the pound in 1966; was changed to "dollar" before it was actually circulated.
5. Any of various lycaenid butterflies.
6. The fourth tine of an antler's beam.
7. A stag with twelve points (six on each antler).
8. (nautical, sailing) In large sailing ships, square sail over the topgallant sail.
  Quotations
  in ten days after we spoke the Solon, so rapid was his recovery, that, from lying helpless and almost hopeless in his berth, he was at the mast-heId, furling a royal.
  1840, R[ichard] H[enry] D[ana], Jr., “CHAPTER XXXV”, in Two Years before the Mast. […] (Harper’s Family Library; no. CVI), New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers […]
9. An old English gold coin, the rial.
10. (military) A small mortar.
11. (card games) In auction bridge, a royal spade.
12. A tuft of beard on the lower lip.
13. (campanology) Bell changes rung on ten bells.

Definition of "royal"

royal

adjective

Quotations

Quotations

noun

Quotations

Quotations