landlord
UK[ˈlændlɔːd]US[ˈlændlɔːrd]
n
A person, especially a man, who rents land, a building, or an apartment to a tenant.
n
A man who owns or runs a pub or boarding house.
Morpheme Breakdown
land
lord
land
ground/territory
lord
master/ruler
Etymology
The word 'landlord' is a transparent compound from Old English elements, directly combining 'land' (ground, territory) with 'lord' (master, ruler). The term 'lord' itself has an evocative origin, deriving from 'hlāf-weard' or "loaf-warden," signifying the one who provides food and protection. Thus, a 'landlord' was literally the "master of the land," the person who owned and controlled an estate, responsible for its tenants. Over time, the meaning narrowed from a general landowner to specifically denote one who rents out property, retaining the core concept of ownership and authority over a defined physical space.
Analysis
Structure: land (ground/territory) + lord (master/ruler)
- land: From Old English 'land', meaning "ground, soil, territory". Of Germanic origin.
- lord: From Old English 'hlāford', meaning "master of a household, ruler". A compound of 'hlāf' (bread, loaf) and 'weard' (keeper, guardian).
Examples
The landlord raised the rent at the end of the lease.
We complained to the landlord about the leaking roof.
The pub landlord was known for his colorful stories.