mae jih sti ri əl
adjective
1. of the nature of an intellectual master or authority such as a professor or scholar.
She has written a magisterial treatment of modern philosophy.
2. arrogantly dominating; overbearing.
He delivers his opinions with a magisterial air that everyone resents.
George Crabbe on the difference between “magisterial” and “majestic”
Magisterial, from magister, a master, and majestic, from majestax, are both derived from magis, more, or major, greater, that is, more or greater than others; but they differ in this respect, that the magisterial is something assumed, and is therefore often false; external. the majestic is natural, and consequently always real: an upstart, or an intruder into any high station or office, may put on a magisterial air, in order to impose on the multitude; but it will not be in his power to be majestic, which never shows itself in a borrowed shape; none but those who have a superiority of character or birth, or outward station, can be majestic: a petty magistrate in the country may be magisterial; a king or queen cannot uphold their station without a majestic deportment. (Dictionary of English Synonymes, 1816)