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atural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government.

Confined within limits; limited in extent, authority, power, etc. "The limitary ocean." Trench. The poor, limitary creature calling himself a man of the world. De Quincey.

The act of limiting; the state or condition of being limited; as, the limitation of his authority was approved by the council. They had no right to mistake the limitation . . . of their own faculties, for an inherent limitation of the possible modes of existence in the universe. J. S. Mill.

One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor, as of a manor. But now I was the lord Of this fair mansion. Shak. Man over men He made not lord. Milton.

Dominion; power; authority. They which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them. Mark x. 42.

Faithful to law; upholding the lawful authority; faithful and true to the lawful government; faithful to the prince or sovereign to whom one is subject; unswerving in allegiance. Welcome, sir John ! But why come you in arms -To help King Edward in his time of storm, As every loyal subject ought to do. Shak.…

A person who adheres to his sovereign or to the lawful authority; especially, one who maintains his allegiance to his prince or government, and defends his cause in times of revolt or revolution.

Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate as an ensign of his authority. "Swayed the royal mace." Wordsworth.

Master; sir; -- a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.

Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic. When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover. We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions o…

Of, pertaining to, or proceeding from, a magistrate; having the authority of a magistrate. Jer. Taylor.

ith the letters, papers, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter. There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler.

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. The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps. xc…

A man who has authority to act, within certain limits, as master of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister or officer.

A malapert person. Are you growing malapert! Will you force me to make use of my authority Dryden. -- Mal"a*pert`ly, adv. -- Mal"a*pert`ness, n.

A term of familiar address often implying on the part of the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose !

court and directed to some inferior tribunal, or to some corporation or person exercising authority, commanding the performance of some specified duty.

Of or pertaining to a husband; as, marital rights, duties, authority. "Marital affection." Ayliffe.

e law administered by the military power of a government when it has superseded the civil authority in time of war, or when the civil authorities are unable to enforce the laws. It is distinguished from military law, the latter being the code of rules for the regulation of the army and navy alone, either in peace or in…

is articled. (d) A sovereign, prince, or feudal noble; a chief, or one exercising similar authority. (e) The head of a household. (f) The male head of a school or college. (g) A male teacher. (h) The director of a number of persons performing a ceremony or sharing a feast. (i) The owner of a docile brute, -- especially…