Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Royalty?

\Roy"al*ty\, n.; pl. {Royalties}. [OF. roialt['e], royault['e], F. royaut['e]. See {Royal}, and cf. {Regality}.] 1. The state of being royal; the condition or quality of a royal person; kingship; kingly office; sovereignty. Royalty by birth was the sweetest way of majesty. --Holyday. 2. The person of a king or sovereign; majesty; as, in the presence of royalty. For thus his royalty doth speak. --Shak. 3. An emblem of royalty; -- usually in the plural, meaning regalia. [Obs.] Wherefore do I assume These royalties, and not refuse to reign? --Milton. 4. Kingliness; spirit of regal authority. In his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd. --Shak. 5. Domain; province; sphere. --Sir W. Scott. 6. That which is due to a sovereign, as a seigniorage on gold and silver coined at the mint, metals taken from mines, etc.; the tax exacted in lieu of such share; imperiality. 7. A share of the product or profit (as of a mine, forest, etc.), reserved by the owner for permitting another to use the property. 8. Hence (Com.), a duty paid by a manufacturer to the owner of a patent or a copyright at a certain rate for each article manufactured; or, a percentage paid to the owner of an article by one who hires the use of it.