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a metrical narrative, especially in medieval French literature.
a novel.
of or relating to the ancient or modern city of Rome, or to its inhabitants and their customs and culture:
Roman restaurants.
of or relating to the ancient kingdom, republic, and empire whose capital was the city of Rome.
of a kind or character regarded as typical of the ancient Romans:
Roman virtues.
(usually lowercase) designating or pertaining to the upright style of printing types most commonly used in modern books, periodicals, etc., of which the main text of this dictionary is an example.
of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
noting, pertaining to, or resembling the architecture of ancient Rome, especially the public and religious architecture, characterized by the employment of massive brick and concrete construction, with such features as the semicircular arch, the dome, and groin and barrel vaults, by the use in interiors of marble and molded stucco revetments, by the elaboration of the Greek orders as purely decorative motifs for the adornment of façades and interiors, and by an overall effect in which simplicity and grandeur of massing is often combined with much elaboration of detailing.
written in or pertaining to .
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of ancient or modern Rome.
the dialect of Italian spoken in Rome.
(usually lowercase) roman type or lettering.
Disparaging. a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Rare. the Latin language.
a male given name.
Contemporary Examples

It is not uncommon to see groups of clerics enjoying the gorgeous views of ancient roman ruins from the villa terrace.
U.S. Pulls Embassy Out of the Vatican Barbie Latza Nadeau November 23, 2013

The dress glimmered like a rare roman coin found buried in the dust.
Lanvin Spring/ Summer 2014: All That Glitters Liza Foreman September 25, 2013

Cardinal Law is very much the poster priest for the sex abuse scandal that is rocking the roman Catholic Church right now.
The Cardinal Who Got Away Barbie Latza Nadeau May 10, 2010

The roman case grew out of a 2010 complaint from a gang member who essentially served as a foot soldier for the family.
Vianna Roman, Alleged Queen of L.A.’s Harpys Gang Christine Pelisek December 23, 2012

Now to be fair, Cokie Roberts probably only meant that roman Polanski should metaphorically shot.
Top 8 Moments From Sunday Talk Shows The Daily Beast Video October 3, 2009

Historical Examples

The crowd at the morning audience of the great roman jurisconsult lessens.
Ancient Law Sir Henry James Sumner Maine

To the roman, the scenic and histrionic were the vital features of a production.
The Dramatic Values in Plautus Wilton Wallace Blancke

Then the roman, adding a word or two, closed with an obscene gesture.
The Brass Bell Eugne Sue

What is to be said about the roman Catholic view, and what is it called?
An Explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism Joseph Stump

Bahram then strengthened his left, and, transferring himself to this part of the field, made an impression on the roman right.
The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 7. (of 7): The Sassanian or New Persian Empire George Rawlinson

adjective
of, relating to, or denoting a vertical style of printing type: the usual form of type for most printed matter Compare italic
noun
roman type or print
noun
a metrical narrative in medieval French literature derived from the chansons de geste
adjective
of or relating to Rome or its inhabitants in ancient or modern times
of or relating to Roman Catholicism or the Roman Catholic Church
denoting, relating to, or having the style of architecture used by the ancient Romans, characterized by large-scale masonry domes, barrel vaults, and semicircular arches
noun
a citizen or inhabitant of ancient or modern Rome
(informal) short for Roman Catholic
n.

Old English, from Latin Romanus “of Rome, Roman,” from Roma “Rome” (see Rome). The adjective is c.1300, from Old French Romain. The Old English adjective was romanisc, which yielded Middle English Romanisshe.

As a type of numeral (usually contrasted to Arabic) it is attested from 1728; as a type of lettering (based on the upright style typical of Roman inscriptions, contrasted to Gothic, or black letter, and italic) it is recorded from 1510s. Roman nose is from 1620s. Roman candle as a type of fireworks is recorded from 1834. Roman Catholic is attested from c.1600, a conciliatory formation from the time of the Spanish Match, replacing Romanist, Romish which by that time had the taint of insult in Protestant England.
n.

“a novel,” 1765, from French roman, from Old French romanz (see romance (n.)); roman à clef, novel in which characters represent real persons, literally “novel with a key” (French), first attested in English 1893. And, for those who can’t get enough of it, roman policier “a story of police detection” (1928).
see: when in Rome do as the Romans do