royal

Etymology

From Middle English royal, from Old French roial (Modern French royal), from Latin rēgālis, from rēx (“king”). Doublet of regal (“befitting a king”) and real (“unit of currency”). Cognate with Spanish real. Displaced native Old English cynelīċ.

adj

1. Of or relating to a monarch or his (or her) family.
   On the first Friday morning of his kingship he went into the kitchen and called for his royal chef. 2011, Marilyn Price, Grandma's Cookies, page 7
2. Having the air or demeanour of a monarch; illustrious; magnanimous; of more than common size or excellence.
3. (nautical) In large sailing ships, of a mast right above the topgallant mast and its sails.
   royal mast;  royal sail
4. (boxing, military) Free-for-all, especially involving multiple combatants.
5. (informal) Used as an intensifier.
   a royal pain in the neck
6. (chess) Describing a piece which, if captured, results in loss of game.
   Maharajah and the Sepoys pits a single royal amazon for white against a standard chess army for black.

noun

1. (somewhat informal, often capitalised) A royal person; a member of a royal family.
   Andy noted in RAIL 462: "The Royals are bound to have a great say in the decoration of the train and it speaks volumes for their regard for it that there are so many portraits of previous Royal Trains and items presented on trips. I sense they're extremely fond of it." September 21 2022, Philip Haigh, “Comment: Her Majesty's final journey”, in RAIL, number 966, page 3
2. (paper, printing">printing) A standard size of printing">printing paper, measuring 25 by 20 inches.
3. (paper) A standard size of writing paper, measuring 24 by 19 inches.
4. (dated) The Australian decimal currency intended to replace the pound in 1966; was changed to "dollar" before it was actually circulated.
5. Any of various lycaenid butterflies.
6. The fourth tine of an antler's beam.
7. A stag with twelve points (six on each antler).
8. (nautical, sailing) In large sailing ships, square sail over the topgallant sail.
9. An old English gold coin, the rial.
10. (military) A small mortar.
11. (card games) In auction bridge, a royal spade.
12. A tuft of beard on the lower lip.
13. (campanology) Bell changes rung on ten bells.