||Em`phy*se"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; inflation, fr. &?; to inflate; &?; in + &?; to blow: cf. F. emphysème.] (Med.) A swelling produced by gas or air diffused in the cellular tissue.
Emphysema of the lungs, Pulmonary emphysema (Med.), a common disease of the lungs in which the air cells are distended and their partition walls ruptured by an abnormal pressure of the air contained in them.
Em`phy*sem"a*tous (?), a. [Cf. F. emphysémateux.] (Med.) Pertaining to, or of the nature of, emphysema; swelled; bloated.
||Em`phy*teu"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, lit., an implanting, fr. &?; to plant or improve land; &?; in + &?; to plant.] (Rom. Law) A real right, susceptible of assignment and of descent, charged on productive real estate, the right being coupled with the enjoyment of the property on condition of taking care of the estate and paying taxes, and sometimes a small rent. Heumann.
Em`phy*teu"tic (?), a. [L. emphyteuticus.] Of or pertaining to an emphyteusis; as, emphyteutic lands.
Em`phy*teu"ti*ca*ry (?), n. [L. emphyteuticarius, a.] One who holds lands by emphyteusis.
Em*pierce" (?), v. t. [Pref. em- + pierce. Cf. Impierce.] To pierce; to impierce. [Obs.] Spenser.
Em*pight" (?), a. [Pref. em- + pight pitched, fixed.] Fixed; settled; fastened. [Obs.] Spenser.
Em"pire (?), n. [F., fr. L. imperium a command, sovereignty, dominion, empire, fr. imperare. See Emperor; cf. Imperial.] 1. Supreme power; sovereignty; sway; dominion. "The empire of the sea." Shak.
Over hell extend
His empire, and with iron scepter rule.
Milton.
2. The dominion of an emperor; the territory or countries under the jurisdiction and dominion of an emperor (rarely of a king), usually of greater extent than a kingdom, always comprising a variety in the nationality of, or the forms of administration in, constituent and subordinate portions; as, the Austrian empire.
Empire carries with it the idea of a vast and complicated government.