lord
UK[lɔːd]US[lɔːrd]
n
A man of high rank in the nobility, especially in Britain.
n
A person who has power or authority over others, such as a master or ruler.
n
(Lord) A title used for certain high officials, such as judges, or for bishops.
n
(Lord) A name for God or Jesus Christ.
Etymology
The word 'lord' originates from the Old English compound 'hlāfweard', a fusion of 'hlāf' (loaf, bread) and 'weard' (keeper, guardian). This literal meaning of "bread-warden" or "one who guards the food" powerfully encapsulated the social role of a provider and protector within a household or community. Over centuries, the term underwent significant phonetic erosion and contraction, simplifying from 'hlāfweard' to 'hlāford' and finally to its modern form 'lord'. This semantic journey transformed the concept from a concrete domestic provider to an abstract title denoting nobility, authority, and, in a religious context, supreme sovereignty, reflecting the central importance of sustenance and protection in feudal and spiritual hierarchies.
Analysis
The word 'lord' is a simplex word derived from Old English 'hlāford', a contraction of 'hlāfweard', meaning "bread-keeper" or "loaf-warden". It is not productively segmentable into distinct morphemes in modern English spelling.
Examples
The lord of the manor presided over the local court.
She vowed to obey her lord and husband.
We give thanks to the Lord for this meal.