Imperialised

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. To have been brought under the control or influence of an empire ; to be subjected to imperial policies or rule ; to adopt characteristics associated with imperial power or dominance
2. Having experienced the process of being governed or dominated by an imperial authority ; having assimilated the traits or systems imposed by an empire ; having been transformed by external sovereign power
3. Describing something made part of a larger empire through political, cultural, or military means ; marked by the imposition of imperial structures or culture ; altered to reflect imperial governance or influence

Etymology: "Imperialised" is the British spelling of "imperialized," the past tense and past participle of "imperialise," so its history is that of the verb. That verb is built from "imperial," which comes from Latin "imperialis," meaning "of an emperor" or "of a commander," and which derives from "imperium," the power to command. Adding the suffix "-ise" (or "-ize") turns the adjective into a verb meaning to make something imperial, or to bring it under imperial rule. The formation is a straightforward one, following the same pattern as verbs like "colonise" and "modernise." The suffix "-ise" comes from Greek "-izein" through Latin and French, and English has used it to create verbs from adjectives and nouns for centuries. The verb "imperialise" therefore needed no special coinage; it is a regular extension of "imperial" into the language of action.

Synonyms: imperialized, colonized, conquered

Antonyms: decolonized, liberated