n., int., & v.
--n.
1. a master or ruler.
2 hist. a feudal superior, esp. of a manor.
3 a peer of the realm or a person entitled to the title Lord, esp. a marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.
4 (Lord) (often prec. by the) a name for God or Christ.
5 (Lord) a prefixed as the designation of a marquis, earl, viscount, or baron. b prefixed to the Christian name of the younger son of a duke or marquis. c (the Lords) House of Lords.
6 Astrol. the ruling planet (of a sign, house, or chart).
--int. (Lord) expressing surprise, dismay, etc.
--v.tr. confer the title of Lord upon.
Phrases and idioms:
live like a lord live sumptuously. Lord Advocate the principal law-officer of the Crown in Scotland. Lord Bishop the ceremonious title of any bishop. Lord Chamberlain see CHAMBERLAIN. Lord (or Lord High) Chancellor (in the UK) the highest officer of the Crown, presiding in the House of Lords etc. Lord Chief Justice (in the UK) the president of the Queen's Bench Division. lord it over domineer. Lord Lieutenant
1. (in the UK) the chief executive authority and head of magistrates in each county.
2 hist. the viceroy of Ireland. Lord Mayor the title of the mayor in London and some other large cities. Lord Ordinary see ORDINARY n. 5. lord over (usu. in passive) domineer, rule over. Lord President of the Council (in the UK) the cabinet minister presiding at the Privy Council. Lord Privy Seal (in the UK) a senior cabinet minister without official duties. Lord Provost the head of a municipal corporation or borough in certain Scottish cities. lords and ladies wild arum. Lords Commissioners the members of a board performing the duties of a high State office put in commission. Lord's Day Sunday. Lords of Session the judges of the Scottish Court of Session. Lord's Prayer the Our Father, the prayer taught by Christ to his disciples. Lords spiritual the bishops in the House of Lords. Lord's Supper the Eucharist. Lords temporal the members of the House of Lords other than the bishops. Our Lord a name for Christ. Sea Lord a naval member of the Admiralty Board.
Derivatives:
lordless adj. lordlike adj.
Etymology: OE hlaford f. hlafweard bread-keeper (as LOAF(1), WARD)