Roy"al*ty (?), n.; pl. Royalties (#). [OF. roialt'e, royault'e, F. royaut'e. See Royal, and cf. Regality.]
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.
© Webster 1913.