WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Roy"al*ty
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [OF. roialt?, royault?, F. royaut?. See Royal, and cf. Regality.]
Definition : 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.

pl. Royalties.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913