Majesties

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Majesty \Maj"es*ty\, n.; pl. {Majesties}. [OE. magestee, F.
     majest['e], 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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. --Ps.
                                                    xciii. 1.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of a
           great state with more dignity and grace. --Macaulay.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]