Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Majesty

Maj′es-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Majesties
(#)
.
[OE.
magestee
, F.
majesté
, L.
majestas
, fr. an old compar. of
magnus
great. See
Major
,
Master
.]
The dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness; stateliness; – usually applied to the rank and dignity of sovereigns.
The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with
majesty
.
Ps. xciii. 1.
No sovereign has ever represented the
majesty
of a great state with more dignity and grace.
Macaulay.
2.
Hence, used with the possessive pronoun, the title of an emperor, king or queen; – in this sense taking a plural;
as, their
majesties
attended the concert
.
In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.] now issued as King of Spain, he assumed the title of
Majesty
, and required it from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that time all the monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation of
Highness
or
Grace
.
Robertson.
3.
Dignity; elevation of manner or style.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Majesty

MAJ'ESTY

,
Noun.
[L. majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater.]
1.
Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works.
Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps.93.
The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. Ps.29.
It is applied to the dignity, pomp and splendor of earthly princes.
When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom--the honor of his excellent majesty many days-- Esth.1.
2.
Dignity; elevation of manner.
The first in loftiness of thought surpass'd,
The next in majesty--
3.
A title of emperors, kings and queens; as most royal majesty; may it please your majesty. In this sense, it admits of the plural; as, their majesties attended the concert.

Definition 2024


Majesty

Majesty

See also: majesty

English

Pronoun

Majesty (Majesties)

  1. a term of address for royalty and imperiality
    His/Her/Your Majesty

Usage notes

A king or queen is usually styled "Your Majesty" or "Your Royal Majesty", although in earlier times other forms were used, such as "Your Grace". An emperor or empress is styled "Your Imperial Majesty".

Occasionally other variations are used. The queen of Great Britain is sometimes called "Her Britannic Majesty"; the King and Queen of Spain "Their Most Catholic Majesties"; the King of Hawai'i "His Oceanic Majesty".

Related terms

Translations

majesty

majesty

See also: Majesty

English

Alternative forms

  • majestie (archaic)
  • majty (obsolete contraction)

Noun

majesty (plural majesties)

  1. The quality of being impressive and great
    the majesty of the Great Pyramids

Related terms

Translations

See also