2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Imperious  \Im*pe"ri*ous\,  a.  [L.  imperiosus:  cf  F. 
  imp['e]rieux.  See  {Imperial}.] 
  1.  Commanding;  ascendant;  imperial;  lordly;  majestic.  [Obs.] 
  ``A  vast  and  imperious  mind.''  --Tilloison. 
 
  Therefore,  great  lords,  be  as  your  titles  witness, 
  Imperious.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  Haughly;  arrogant;  overbearing;  as  an  imperious  tyrant; 
  an  imperious  manner. 
 
  This  imperious  man  will  work  us  all  From  princes 
  into  pages.  --Shak. 
 
  His  bold,  contemptuous,  and  imperious  spirit  soon 
  made  him  conspicuous.  --Macaulay. 
 
  3.  Imperative;  urgent;  compelling. 
 
  Imperious  need  which  can  not  be  withstood. 
  --Dryden. 
 
  Syn:  Dictatorial;  haughty;  domineering;  overbearing;  lordly; 
  tyrannical;  despotic;  arrogant;  imperative; 
  authoritative;  commanding;  pressing. 
 
  Usage:  {Imperious},  {Lordly},  {Domineering}.  One  who  is 
  imperious  exercises  his  authority  in  a  manner  highly 
  offensive  for  its  spirit  and  tone;  one  who  is  lordly 
  assumes  a  lofty  air  in  order  to  display  his 
  importance;  one  who  is  domineering  gives  orders  in  a 
  way  to  make  other  feel  their  inferiority. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  imperious 
  adj  :  able  to  deal  authoritatively  with  affairs;  "dismissed  the 
  matter  with  an  imperious  wave  of  her  hand"  [syn:  {masterful}] 

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