celestial empire

Empire \Em"pire\, n. [F., fr. L. imperium a command,
   sovereignty, dominion, empire, fr. imperare. See {Emperor};
   cf. {Imperial}.]
   1. Supreme power; sovereignty; sway; dominion. "The empire of
      the sea." --Shak.
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            Over hell extend
            His empire, and with iron scepter rule. --Milton.
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   2. The dominion of an emperor; the territory or countries
      under the jurisdiction and dominion of an emperor (rarely
      of a king), usually of greater extent than a kingdom,
      always comprising a variety in the nationality of, or the
      forms of administration in, constituent and subordinate
      portions; as, the Austrian empire.
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            Empire carries with it the idea of a vast and
            complicated government.               --C. J. Smith.
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   3. Any dominion; supreme control; governing influence; rule;
      sway; as, the empire of mind or of reason. "Under the
      empire of facts." --M. Arnold.
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            Another force which, in the Middle Ages, shared with
            chivalry the empire over the minds of men. --A. W.
                                                  Ward.
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   {Celestial empire}. See under {Celestial}.

   {Empire City}, a common designation of the city of New York.
      

   {Empire State}, a common designation of the State of New
      York.

   Syn: Sway; dominion; rule; control; reign; sovereignty;
        government; kingdom; realm; state.
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Celestial \Ce*les"tial\, a. [OF. celestial, celestied, fr. L.
   caelestic, fr. caelum heaved. See {Cell}.]
   1. Belonging to the a["e]rial regions, or visible heavens.
      "The twelve celestial signs." --Shak.
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   2. Of or pertaining to the spiritual heaven; heavenly;
      divine. "Celestial spirits." "Celestial light," --Milton.
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   3. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Chinese, or
      Celestial, Empire, of the Chinese people.
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   {Celestial city}, heaven; the heavenly Jerusalem. --Bunyan.

   {Celestial empire}, China; -- so called from the Chinese
      words, tien chan, Heavenly Dynasty, as being the kingdom
      ruled over by the dynasty appointed by heaven. --S. W.
      Williams.
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