celestial empire

2 definitions found

celestial empire - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     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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