Wyrmlord

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A ruler or commander of serpentine or dragon-like creatures; a fantasy figure possessing power over mythical serpents; a title given to one who commands or controls a horde of dragonkind
2. A sovereign or leader specializing in the control of dragon or serpent beings; a mythic or fictional character with authority over reptilian monsters; an epithet denoting mastery over dragon-related forces
3. An overlord who governs or commands dragons or serpent beings; a legendary or fantasy persona with dominion over wyrms; a designation for one exercising control over draconic creatures in stories or games

Etymology: "Wyrmlord" is a modern compound, built from "wyrm" and "lord." "Wyrm" comes from Old English "wyrm," meaning serpent, snake, or dragon, and it is related to German "Wurm," meaning worm. In Old English the word could describe almost any creeping creature, so a "wyrm" was not necessarily a dragon at all. Its sense narrowed over the centuries, and by the medieval period it was often used for the great serpents and dragons of legend, as in the Old English poem Beowulf, where dragons are called "wyrm." "Lord" is Old English "hlaford," originally "loaf-keeper," meaning the person who provided bread to dependents. Combining the two gives a figure who commands the great serpents. The compound is best understood as a fantasy coinage rather than an old word, since it appears mainly in modern fiction and games, where it names a ruler of dragons or serpent beings. Its exact date of first use is uncertain.

Synonyms: dragonlord, drake, wyrm master