adj. 1. Of or relating to a monarch. 2. Of the rank of a monarch. 3. Of, relating to, or in the service of a kingdom. 4. Issued or performed by a monarch: a royal warrant; a royal visit. 5. Founded, chartered, or authorized by a monarch: a royal society of musicians. 6. Befitting royalty; stately: royal treatment. 7. a. Superior, as in size or quality. b. Used as an intensive: "It would be a first-class royal mess" (Sam Nunn). n. Idiom: 1. Informal A member of a monarch's family: "Among the resort's distinguished visitors are Swedish and Spanish royals" (Alistair Scott). 2. Nautical A sail set on the royalmast. 3. A paper size, 20 by 25 inches for printing, 19 by 24 inches for writing. the royal road A way or method that presents no difficulties: the royal road to success. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin rēgālis, from rēx, rēg-, king; see reg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] royal·ly adv. |
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