Imperialises

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Brings distant lands and peoples under the direct authority of a ruling state ; dominates others through forceful or controlling influence
2. Extends the power of an empire over foreign territories ; asserts overbearing command over other people or groups
3. Establishes an empire's rule over conquered regions ; behaves in a commanding, domineering way toward those who are subordinate

Etymology: "Imperialises" is the third-person singular present form of "imperialise", the British spelling of "imperialize". The verb itself is built from "imperial", which comes from Latin "imperialis", meaning "of an emperor" or "of command", and that in turn comes from "imperium", the power to command and, under the Roman emperors, supreme authority. Adding the verbal suffix "-ise" (or "-ize") turns the adjective into an action: to make something imperial, or to bring a territory or people under imperial rule. Because the verb is a straightforward derivation of "imperial" plus the common "-ise" ending, its meaning follows the adjective closely. Its sense of extending a state's dominance over other lands, and of exerting control over others in general, grows naturally out of the older idea of commanding power.

Synonyms: colonizes, dominates, controls, conquers, subjugates

Antonyms: liberates, frees, decolonizes, independence, emancipates