lordly

English

Alternative forms

  • Lordly

Etymology

From Middle English louerdlich, lordlyche, lordeliche, from Old English hlāfordlīċ (lordly; heroic; noble), equivalent to lord + -ly.

The adverb is from Middle English lordly, lordely, lordliche.

Adjective

lordly (comparative lordlier or more lordly, superlative lordliest or most lordly)

  1. Of or relating to a lord.
    Show us your lordly might: demonstrate that you can order people and get them to obey.
    • 1880, John Nichols, The Gentleman's Magazine - Volume 248 - Page 60:
      But they are the peers of the Queensland Parliament, and, having no lordly robes, must approach the Old Country model as closely as possible.
    • 2006, Steve Wharton, Screening Reality - Page 104:
      [...] in that some form of duty and sacrifice (here, participation in the 1848 Revolution and a recognition of his lordly duty) is not only beneficially character- forming but also leads ultimately to a condition which is 'sublime'.
    • 2011, Thomas Smith, ‎C. Matthew McMahon, ‎Therese B. McMahon, Select Memoirs of the English and Scottish Divines: - Page 282:
      Samson, in reply to this, says, “If you are not lordly, nor value your lordly title, as you tell me, and I trust in truth and sincerity, shall I call you a phoenix?
    • 2011, Mary Jane Staples, Appointment At The Palace: An Adams Family Saga Novel - Page 275:
      [...] he's still got his lordly habits, and more so since coming out of the war as a general.' 'A colonel, Sammy,' said Rachel. 'Same thing, good as,' said Sammy. 'Boots, of course, does wear his lordly crown with style,' said Rachel. 'Don't I know it?
  2. Having the qualities of a lord; lordlike; noble
  3. Appropriate for, or suitable to, a lord; glorious.
    • Bible, Judges v. 25
      She brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
    • Tennyson
      The maidens gathered strength and grace / And presence, lordlier than before.
    • 1849Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, chapter 27
      It had also its Hall, called the Priory - an older, a larger, a more lordly abode than any Briarfield or Whinbury owned;
    • 1897Bram Stoker, Dracula, chapter 27
      There was one great tomb more lordly than all the rest.
  4. Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent.
    • Milton
      Lords are lordliest in their wine.

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

lordly (comparative lordlier, superlative lordliest)

  1. In the manner of a lord. Showing command or nobility.
    • 1891, Sir Edwin Arnold, The Light of the World: Or, The Great Consummation, Book I — “Mary Magdalene”, Funk & Wagnalls, page 56,
      [] / And Herod's painted pinnaces, ablaze / With lamps, and brazen shields and spangled slaves, / Came and went lordly at Tiberias; / []
    • 1925, Claude Kean, Stock Charges Against the Bible, published 2003, page 61:
      Look at man, then, walking lordly amidst the gigantic flora and fauna of long ago; and see if seven, eight, nine hundred years do not sit serenely on his mighty brow.

Anagrams

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