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| em·pire [ ém pr ] (plural em·pires) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. lands ruled by single authority: a group of nations, territories, or peoples ruled by a single authority, especially an emperor or empress
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2. monarchy headed by emperor or empress: a monarchy that has an emperor or empress as its ruler
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3. period of empire's existence: the period during which an empire exists
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4. large far-flung business: a very large, powerful, and extensive industrial or commercial organization
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5. part of organization somebody personally controls: a part of an organization controlled by a single person, especially somebody who is keenly protective of personal power
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6. absolute power: supreme or absolute power
(
formal or literary
)
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin imperium "command" < imperare (see emperor)] |
