\Mag`is*te"ri*al\, a. [L. magisterius magisterial.
See {Master}.]
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.) 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.
Usage: {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.