lord

I. noun Etymology: Middle English loverd, lord, from Old English hlāford, from hlāf loaf + weard keeper — more at loaf, ward Date: before 12th century 1. one having power and authority over others: a. a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due b. one of whom a fee or estate is held in feudal tenure c. an owner of land or other real property d. obsolete the male head of a household e. husband f. one that has achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great power in some area <

a drug lord

> 2. capitalized a. god 1 b. Jesus 3. a man of rank or high position: as a. a feudal tenant whose right or title comes directly from the king b. a British nobleman: as (1) baron 2a (2) a hereditary peer of the rank of marquess, earl, or viscount (3) the son of a duke or a marquess or the eldest son of an earl (4) a bishop of the Church of England c. plural, capitalized House of Lords 4. — used as a British title: as a. — used as part of an official title <

Lord Advocate

> <

Lord Mayor

> b. — used informally in place of the full title for a marquess, earl, or viscount c. — used for a baron d. — used by courtesy before the name and surname of a younger son of a duke or a marquess 5. a person chosen to preside over a festival II. intransitive verb Date: 14th century to act like a lord; especially to put on airs — usually used with it <

lords it over his friends

>