EMPIRE, or The empire, used absolutely, and without any addition, signifies the empire of Germany; called also, in juridical acts and laws, The holy Roman empire. Authors are at a loss under what form of government to range the empire: some will have it a monarchical state, by reason all the members thereof are forced to ask the investiture of their states of the emperor, and to take an oath of fidelity to him. Others will have it an aristocratic state, by reason the emperor cannot determine any thing without the concurrence of the princes: and, lastly, others will have the empire to be a monarchical-aristocratic state.