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Maj"es*ty (?), n.; pl.
Majesties (#). [OE. magestee, F.
majesté, L. majestas, fr. an old compar. of
magnus great. See Major, Master.] The
dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which
inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether
proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness;
stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of
sovereigns.

The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with
majesty.

No sovereign has ever represented the majesty
of a great state with more dignity and grace.

2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun,
the title of an emperor, king or queen; -- in this sense taking a
plural; as, their majesties attended the concert.

In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.]
now issued as King of Spain, he assumed the title of Majesty,
and required it from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that
time all the monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation
of Highness or Grace.


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