Lorde

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic spelling of lord, referring to a master, ruler, or person of high rank with authority over others
2. An old variant form of lord, used for a feudal master, a sovereign, or a man holding power and rank
3. A obsolete spelling of lord denoting a superior who governs land, people, or servants in earlier English

Etymology: Old English "hlāford" was a compound of "hlāf" (loaf, bread) and "weard" (keeper, guardian), so a lord was originally the keeper of the bread, the one who provided food to his household. The first element survives in "lady," which comes from "hlæfdige," meaning "one who kneads the bread," and in "loaf" itself. Over the centuries the word was worn down by speech. In Middle English it had shortened to "lord" and the old compound sense faded from ordinary use, leaving a title for a man who held power over land and people. "Lorde" with a final e is the older spelling of that Middle English form, preserved in texts before spelling became standardised.

Synonyms: lord, master, ruler

Antonyms: serf, vassal