WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Mag`is*te"ri*al
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. magisterius magisterial. See Master.]
Definition : 1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic. When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover. We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. Sir T. Browne. Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange.

2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See Magistery, 2.

Syn. -- Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified; lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. -- Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913