a. [ L. magisterius magisterial. See Master. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ] When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover. [ 1913 Webster ] We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See Magistery, 2. [ 1913 Webster ] 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 insults 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |