Empress Meaning and Definition
Empress
Pronunciation
/ˈɛmpriːs/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A female monarch, typically titled by birthright or marriage to a monarch, considered to be the sovereign of an empire or a significant territory, often with significant symbolic and ceremonial powers.
Etymology
The word ‘Empress’ comes from the Old French word ’emperesse’, derived from the Latin ‘imperatrix’, meaning ‘queen’ or ‘ruler’.
Usage Notes
An Empress is often referred to as the wife of an Emperor or a female monarch in her own right, but the term is not limited to these specific contexts. The term is typically used in historical or cultural contexts to refer to a powerful or influential female leader.
Cultural References
In the Star Wars franchise, Princess Padmé Amidala is referred to as the Queen of Naboo, and later becomes the Empress of Naboo after her marriage to Chancellor Palpatine.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Empress of the Universe” is a phrase used to describe a women who has vast influence or control over a particular domain or sphere.
Related Words or Phrases
Monarch, Queen, Emperor, Sovereign
Collocations
Empress and her court, Empress of the throne
Frequency of Use
The term ‘Empress’ is relatively uncommon in modern language usage, but it is still used in historical and cultural contexts to refer to powerful or influential female leaders.
Common Misspellings
Empress can be commonly misspelled as Gerbera, Emperor, or Emporer