magisterial Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective of or relating to a magistrate
- official magisterial functions
adjective satellite offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
peremptory; dominating; high-and-mighty; autocratic; bossy.
- an autocratic person
- autocratic behavior
- a bossy way of ordering others around
- a rather aggressive and dominating character
- managed the employees in an aloof magisterial way
- a swaggering peremptory manner
adjective satellite used of a person's appearance or behavior; befitting an eminent person
imposing; distinguished; grand.
- his distinguished bearing
- the monarch's imposing presence
- she reigned in magisterial beauty

L. magisterius magisterial. See Master.

Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic.
When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover.

We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. Sir T. Browne.

Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange.
(Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See Magistery, 2. Syn. -- Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified; lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. -- Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.