kingliest

1 definition found

kingliest - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Kingly \King"ly\, a. [Compar. Kinglier; superl. Kingliest.]
     Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king;
     characteristic of, or resembling, a king; directed or
     administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal;
     august; noble; grand. "Kingly magnificence." --Sir P. Sidney.
     "A kingly government." --Swift. "The kingly couch." --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn. --G.
                                                    Massey.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares. --Cowper.
  
     Syn: Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign;
          noble; splendid.
  
     Usage: Kingly, Regal. Kingly is Anglo-Saxon, and refers
            especially to the character of a king; regal is Latin,
            and now relates more to his office. The former is
            chiefly used of dispositions, feelings, and purposes
            which are kinglike; as, kingly sentiments; kingly
            condescension; " a kingly heart for enterprises."
            --Sir P. Sidney. The latter is oftener applied to
            external state, pomp, etc.; as, regal state, regal
            title, etc. This distinction is not observed by our
            early writers, but is gaining ground.
            [1913 Webster]