Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Roman?

\Ro"man\, a. [L. Romanus, fr. Roma Rome: cf. F. romain. Cf. {Romaic}, {Romance}, {Romantic}.] 1. Of or pertaining to Rome, or the Roman people; like or characteristic of Rome, the Roman people, or things done by Romans; as, Roman fortitude; a Roman aqueduct; Roman art. 2. Of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic religion; professing that religion. 3. (Print.) (a) Upright; erect; -- said of the letters or kind of type ordinarily used, as distinguished from Italic characters. (b) Expressed in letters, not in figures, as I., IV., i., iv., etc.; -- said of numerals, as distinguished from the Arabic numerals, 1, 4, etc. {Roman alum} (Chem.), a cubical potassium alum formerly obtained in large quantities from Italian alunite, and highly valued by dyers on account of its freedom from iron. {Roman balance}, a form of balance nearly resembling the modern steelyard. See the Note under {Balance}, n., 1. {Roman candle}, a kind of firework (generally held in the hand), characterized by the continued emission of shower of sparks, and the ejection, at intervals, of brilliant balls or stars of fire which are thrown upward as they become ignited. {Roman Catholic}, of, pertaining to, or the religion of that church of which the pope is the spiritual head; as, a Roman Catholic priest; the Roman Catholic Church. {Roman cement}, a cement having the property of hardening under water; a species of hydraulic cement. {Roman law}. See under {Law}. {Roman nose}, a nose somewhat aquiline. {Roman ocher}, a deep, rich orange color, transparent and durable, used by artists. --Ure. {Roman order} (Arch.), the composite order. See {Composite}, a., 2.
\Ro"man\, n. 1. A native, or permanent resident, of Rome; a citizen of Rome, or one upon whom certain rights and privileges of a Roman citizen were conferred. 2. Roman type, letters, or print, collectively; -- in distinction from Italics.