Empire \Em"pire\, n. [F., fr. L. imperium a command,
sovereignty, dominion, empire, fr. imperare. See Emperor;
cf. Imperial.]
1. Supreme power; sovereignty; sway; dominion. ``The empire
of the sea.'' --Shak.
Over hell extend His empire, and with iron scepter
rule. --Milton.
2. The dominion of an emperor; the territory or countries
under the jurisdiction and dominion of an emperor (rarely
of a king), usually of greater extent than a kingdom,
always comprising a variety in the nationality of, or the
forms of administration in, constituent and subordinate
portions; as, the Austrian empire.
Empire carries with it the idea of a vast and
complicated government. --C. J. Smith.
3. Any dominion; supreme control; governing influence; rule;
sway; as, the empire of mind or of reason. ``Under the
empire of facts.'' --M. Arnold.
Another force which, in the Middle Ages, shared with
chivalry the empire over the minds of men. --A. W.
Ward.
Celestial empire. See under Celestial.
Empire City, a common designation of the city of New York.
Empire State, a common designation of the State of New
York.
Syn: Sway; dominion; rule; control; reign; sovereignty;
government; kingdom; realm; state.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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