Make Your Point > Archived Issues > IMPERIAL

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"IMPERIAL" Meaning: "Imperial" has a bunch of meanings. Here's the most literal one: something imperial is related to an emperor or an empire. But here are the meanings we'll focus on: something imperial is authoritative and commanding like an emperor, or grand, magnificent, and fine like it's made for an emperor. Pronunciation: im PEER ee ull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “an imperial manner.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "Their manner was imperial.”) Other forms: imperially How to use it: Talk about an imperial tone, attitude, manner, or demeanor; an imperial gesture, such as an imperial nod or an imperial wave of the hand; an imperial intellect; an imperial person or personality; imperial will, force, or power, and so on. You can also say something is of imperial size, or that something has an imperial grandeur or an imperial magnificence. The lead dancer's imperial posture dominates the stage even when he's motionless. The tourism ads showed imperial splendor everywhere you look. It's there, yeah, but it's less glorious and less pervasive than the ads promised. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "imperial" means when you can explain it without saying "highly authoritative" or "beautiful and fine." Think of someone bossy you know, and fill in the blanks: "In his/her usual imperial manner, (Person) demanded/commanded _____."  Example: "In her usual imperial manner, Regina demanded that all employee breaks would be 20 minutes long instead of 30, which I'm pretty sure was against company policy and maybe the law as well." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing with some fascinating thematic word lists assembled by Stephen Chrisomalis, an English language expert over at The Phrontistery who kindly gave permission for me to use his work. (Check out his site; you will definitely enjoy it!) Try a question each day, and see the right answers here the following day--or if you can't wait, follow the link to Stephen's list to dig out the answers yourself. Have fun! Yesterday's question: If skiamachy is shadow-boxing and graphology is the study of handwriting, what is sciagraphy? Answer: Sciagraphy is the art of shading (marking or coloring shades and shadows.) Try this one today: Use your knowledge of word roots to come up with the right terms for these different branches of biology: - The study of plant nutrition or soil yields is ag__biology. (Hint: think of words that have to do with farming.) - The study of biological rhythms is ch____biology. (Hint: think of words that have to do with time.) - The study of the biological basis of human behavior is s_____biology. (Hint: think of words that have to do with groups of people.) Can't wait until tomorrow for the right answers? Check out Stephen's full list and discussion at the Phrontistery. A Point Well Made: Grace Paley: “The pinball machine--any pinball machine you play in any penny arcade--is so remarkable, so fine, so shrewdly threaded. It is already beautiful in necessity and sufficiency of wire, connection, possibility.” 1. The opposite of IMPERIAL is A. DEFENESTRATED (TOSSED OUT, AS IF FROM A WINDOW). B. DEFERENTIAL (HUMBLY RESPECTFUL). C. DECIMATED (RUINED). 2. Seeing the _____ on his plate, we got the impression that his diet was rather imperial. A. queso made with Velveeta B. fresh chopped salad with sliced strawberries C. roast duck, truffles, and Gruyère cheese Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C Exploring the archives: Today we're checking out "imperial," which is slightly different from "imperious," a word we'll come to soon. I'll point out the fine distinction between them again when we get to the latter, but basically, "imperial" can be positive or negative while "imperious" is always negative. Could you point out the similarly fine difference between "bedaub" and "bedizen"? That is, sometimes you could really use either of these words to express the same idea, but when would "bedaub" be better than "bedizen," and vice versa? (Hint: one has more to do with dressing, the other with smearing. Which is which?)