Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Empire State \Empire State\
   New York; -- a nickname alluding to its size and wealth.

Empire \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.               --C. J. Smith.

   3. Any dominion; supreme control; governing influence; rule;
      sway; as, the empire of mind or of reason. ``Under the
      empire of facts.'' --M. Arnold.

            Another force which, in the Middle Ages, shared with
            chivalry the empire over the minds of men. --A. W.
                                                  Ward.

   {Celestial empire}. See under {Celestial}.

   {Empire City}, a common designation of the city of New York.
      

   {Empire State}, a common designation of the State of New
      York.

   Syn: Sway; dominion; rule; control; reign; sovereignty;
        government; kingdom; realm; state.

Source : WordNet®

Empire State
     n : a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies [syn:
         {New York}, {New York State}, {NY}]