Emperor
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EMPEROR, an officer. This word is synonymous with the Latin imperator; they
are both derived from the. verb imperare. Literally, it signifies he who
commands.
2. Under the Roman republic, the title emperor was the generic name
given to the commanders-in-chief in the armies. But even then the
application of the word was restrained to the successful commander, who was
declared emperor by the acclamations of the army, and was afterwards honored
with the title by a decree of the senate. 3. It, is now used to designate
some sovereign prince who bears this title. Ayl. Pand. tit. 23.