Imperator
/ˌɪm.pəˈreɪ.tər/noun
A commander or emperor, especially in ancient Rome.
Did you know?In the Roman Republic, *imperator* was first an honor given to a victorious general by his troops, long before it became a title for the ruler of the empire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to lead, try, pass through”
Latin
Latin
imperare
“to order, command”
Latin
Latin
imperator
“a commander, especially a victorious general”
Late Latin
Latin
imperator
“an emperor; supreme ruler”
Modern English
English
imperator
“a title for a commander or emperor, chiefly historical”
Explore more surprising origins