- A commander; a leader; an emperor; -- originally an
appellation of honor by which Roman soldiers saluted their general
after an important victory. Subsequently the title was conferred as a
recognition of great military achievements by the senate, whence it
carried wiht it some special privileges. After the downfall of the
Republic it was assumed by Augustus and his successors, and came to
have the meaning now attached to the word emperor.
Definition
[ n.]