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Commanding; imperative; authoritative.

Commanding; ascendant; imperial; lordly; majestic. [Obs.] "A vast and imperious mind." Tilloison. Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness, Imperious. Shak.

(Law) The right to command, which includes the right to employ the force of the state to enforce the laws. It is one of the principal attributes of the executive power.

To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute. What fates impose, that men must needs abide. Shak. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton. Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. Waller.

Adapted to impress forcibly; impressive; commanding; as, an imposing air; an imposing spectacle. "Large and imposing edifices." Bp. Hobart.

le of being done, of existing, etc.; unattainable in the nature of things, or by means at command; insuperably difficult under the circumstances; absurd or impracticable; not feasible. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matt. xix. 26. Without faith it is impossible to please him. Heb. xi…

t practicable; incapable of being performed, or accomplished by the means employed, or at command; impossible; as, an impracticable undertaking.

Not compliant; unyielding to request, solicitation, or command; stubborn. -- In`com*pli"ant*ly, adv.

The act of enjoining; the act of directing, commanding, or prohibiting.

To furnish with directions; to advise; to direct; to command; as, the judge instructs the jury. She, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. Matt. xiv. 8. Take her in; instruct her what she has to do. Shak.

e or information imparted; as: (a) Precept; information; teachings. (b) Direction; order; command. "If my instructions may be your guide." Shak.

To come in collision; to be in opposition; to clash; as, interfering claims, or commands.

y an armed force, or the state of being so surrounded. The capitulation was signed by the commander of the fort within six days after its investments. Marshall.

sending out, or causing to go forth; delivery; issuance; as, the issue of an order from a commanding officer; the issue of money from a treasury.

To enjoin upon; to command. [Obs. & R.] They join them penance, as they call it. Tyndale.

joyment. Chaucer. All now was turned to jollity and game. Milton. He with a proud jollity commanded him to leave that quarrel only for him, who was only worthy to enter into it. Sir P. Sidney.

A command to a horse, probably meaning "stand still." [Obs.] Chaucer.

to. I have kept the faith. 2 Tim. iv. 7. Him whom to love is to obey, and keep His great command. Milton.

n Parliament, in distinction from the representatives of cities and boroughs. -- Knights commanders, Knights grand cross, different classes of the Order of the Bath. See under Bath, and Companion. Knights of labor, a secret organization whose professed purpose is to secure and maintain the rights of workingmen as resp…

See Commandery, n., 3, and also Templar, n., 1 and 3.