Lord

Lord

Noun / Verb · /lɔːd/

Definition

(Noun) a man of high rank in a feudal or noble hierarchy; a title of honour used for certain peers, judges, and bishops; a master or ruler; the Lord — God or Christ in Christian usage; (Verb) to lord it over someone — to act in a superior or domineering manner toward someone.

Origin

From Old English hlāfweard — bread guardian — from hlāf (loaf, bread) + weard (guardian, keeper). The Old English compound described the person who controlled and distributed the bread supply — the household's food security. The word simplified through the centuries to lord. The connection to bread is hidden but etymologically fundamental.