imperial
–adjective | 1. | of, like, or pertaining to an empire. |
| 2. | of, like, or pertaining to an emperor or empress. |
| 3. | characterizing the rule or authority of a sovereign state over its dependencies. |
| 4. | of the nature or rank of an emperor or supreme ruler. |
| 5. | of a commanding quality, manner, aspect, etc. |
| 6. | domineering; imperious. |
| 7. | befitting an emperor or empress; regal; majestic; very fine or grand; magnificent. |
| 15. | a member of an imperial party or of imperial troops. |
| 16. | an emperor or empress. |
| 17. | any of various articles of special size or quality. |
Origin: 1325–75; ME < class="ital-inline">imperiālis, equiv. to L
imperi(
um)
imperium +
-ālis -al 1 ; r. ME
emperial < class="luna-Img" src="http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png" alt="" border="0">
Related forms:im⋅pe⋅ri⋅al⋅ly, adverb
im⋅pe⋅ri⋅al⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:6. despotic, high-handed, authoritarian
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beset:verb (used with object), -set, -set⋅ting. | 1. | to attack on all sides; assail; harass: to be beset by enemies; beset by difficulties. |
| 2. | to surround; hem in: a village beset on all sides by dense forest. |
| 3. | to set or place upon; bestud: a gold bracelet beset with jewels. |
| 4. | Nautical. to surround (a vessel) by ice, so that control of the helm is lost. |
Origin: bef. 1000; ME
besetten, OE
besettan. See be-, set 
Related forms:be⋅set⋅ment, noun
be⋅set⋅ter, noun
Synonyms:
2. encircle, enclose, besiege, beleaguer. 3. stud, decorate, ornament.
impending
–verb (used without object) | 1. | to be imminent; be about to happen. |
| 2. | to threaten or menace: He felt that danger impended. |
| 3. | Archaic. to hang or be suspended; overhang (usually fol. by over). |
Origin: 1580–90; < class="ital-inline">impendēre to hang over, threaten.
im meaning "before"
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buffoon
noun | 1. | a person who amuses others by tricks, jokes, odd gestures and postures, etc. |
| 2. | a person given to coarse or undignified joking. |
Origin: 1540–50; earlier
buffon < class="ital-inline">buffone, equiv. to
buff- (expressive base; cf.
buffa puff of breath,
buffare to puff, puff up one's checks) +
-one agent suffix ≪ L
-ō, acc.
-ōnemSynonyms:1. jester, clown, fool.
2. boor.
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befalling, befallen
–verb (used without object) | 2. | Archaic. to come, as by right. |
–verb (used with object) | 3. | to happen to, esp. by chance or fate. |
Origin: bef. 900; ME
befallen, OE
befeallan. See be-, fall (v.)
Synonyms:1. bechance, ensue, betide, materialize, chance.
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Onslaught–noun
an onset, assault, or attack, esp. a vigorous one.
Origin:
1615–25; < D aanslag a striking, (earlier) attack (equiv. to aan on + slag blow, stroke; akin to slay ), with assim. to obs. slaught slaughter
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monotonous –adjective | 1. | lacking in variety; tediously unvarying: the monotonous flat scenery. |
| 2. | characterizing a sound continuing on one note. |
| 3. | having very little inflection; limited to a narrow pitch range. |
Origin: 1770–80; < class="ital-inline">monótonos.
See mono-, tone, -ous Related forms:mo⋅not⋅o⋅nous⋅ly, adverb
mo⋅not⋅o⋅nous⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:1. tedious, humdrum, boring, dull.
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Obtruction –noun | 1. | something that obstructs, blocks, or closes up with an obstacle or obstacles; obstacle or hindrance: obstructions to navigation. |
| 2. | an act or instance of obstructing. |
| 3. | the state of being obstructed. |
| 4. | the delaying or preventing of business before a deliberative body, esp. a legislative group, by parliamentary contrivances. |
Origin: 1525–35; < class="ital-inline">obstructiōn- (s. of
obstructiō) barrier.
See obstruct, -ion Synonyms:1. barrier, bar, impediment.
See obstacle. 3. stoppage.
Antonyms:1, 3. encouragement.
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Scurvy
–noun | 1. | Pathology. a disease marked by swollen and bleeding gums, livid spots on the skin, prostration, etc., due to a diet lacking in vitamin C. |
–adjective | 2. | contemptible; despicable; mean: a scurvy trick. |
Related forms:scur⋅vi⋅ly, adverb
scur⋅vi⋅ness, noun
