from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. --Ps.
xciii. 1.
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No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of a
great state with more dignity and grace. --Macaulay.
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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.
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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.
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3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. --Dryden.
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