emperor

views updated May 23 2018

em·per·or / ˈemp(ə)rər/ • n. 1. a sovereign ruler of great power and rank, esp. one ruling an empire. 2. (also emperor butterfly) an orange and brown North American butterfly (genus Asterocampa, family Nymphalidae) with a swift dodging flight.

emperor

views updated May 29 2018

emperor XIII. ME. emperere, emperour — respectively OF. emperere, nom. and emperour, -ëor, obl. (mod. empereur), semi-pop. — L. imperātor, imperātōrem, f. imperāre command, f. IM-1 + parāre PREPARE, contrive; see -OR1.

emperor

views updated May 29 2018

emperor See LETHRINIDAE.