lordly
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English louerdlich, lordlyche, lordeliche, from Old English hlāfordlīċ (“lordly; heroic; noble”), equivalent to lord + -ly.
The adverb is from Middle English lordly, lordely, lordliche.
Adjective
lordly (comparative lordlier or more lordly, superlative lordliest or most lordly)
- Of or relating to a lord.
- Show us your lordly might: demonstrate that you can order people and get them to obey.
- 1880, John Nichols, The Gentleman's Magazine - Volume 248 - Page 60:
- But they are the peers of the Queensland Parliament, and, having no lordly robes, must approach the Old Country model as closely as possible.
- 2006, Steve Wharton, Screening Reality - Page 104:
- [...] in that some form of duty and sacrifice (here, participation in the 1848 Revolution and a recognition of his lordly duty) is not only beneficially character- forming but also leads ultimately to a condition which is 'sublime'.
- 2011, Thomas Smith, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, Select Memoirs of the English and Scottish Divines: - Page 282:
- Samson, in reply to this, says, “If you are not lordly, nor value your lordly title, as you tell me, and I trust in truth and sincerity, shall I call you a phoenix?
- 2011, Mary Jane Staples, Appointment At The Palace: An Adams Family Saga Novel - Page 275:
- [...] he's still got his lordly habits, and more so since coming out of the war as a general.' 'A colonel, Sammy,' said Rachel. 'Same thing, good as,' said Sammy. 'Boots, of course, does wear his lordly crown with style,' said Rachel. 'Don't I know it?
- Having the qualities of a lord; lordlike; noble
- Appropriate for, or suitable to, a lord; glorious.
- Bible, Judges v. 25
- She brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
- (Can we date this quote by Tennyson and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- The maidens gathered strength and grace / And presence, lordlier than before.
- 1849 — Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, chapter 27
- It had also its Hall, called the Priory - an older, a larger, a more lordly abode than any Briarfield or Whinbury owned;
- 1897 — Bram Stoker, Dracula, chapter 27
- There was one great tomb more lordly than all the rest.
- Bible, Judges v. 25
- Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent.
- (Can we date this quote by Milton and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- Lords are lordliest in their wine.
- (Can we date this quote by Milton and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
Derived terms
Translations
of or relating to a lord
|
having the qualities of a lord; lordlike; noble
proud; haughty; imperious; insolent
|
Adverb
lordly (comparative lordlier, superlative lordliest)
- In the manner of a lord. Showing command or nobility.
- 1891, Sir Edwin Arnold, The Light of the World: Or, The Great Consummation,[1] Book I — “Mary Magdalene”, Funk & Wagnalls, page 56,
- […] / And Herod's painted pinnaces, ablaze / With lamps, and brazen shields and spangled slaves, / Came and went lordly at Tiberias; / […]
- 1925, Claude Kean, Stock Charges Against the Bible[2], published 2003, page 61:
- Look at man, then, walking lordly amidst the gigantic flora and fauna of long ago; and see if seven, eight, nine hundred years do not sit serenely on his mighty brow.
- 1891, Sir Edwin Arnold, The Light of the World: Or, The Great Consummation,[1] Book I — “Mary Magdalene”, Funk & Wagnalls, page 56,
Anagrams
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms suffixed with -ly (adjectival)
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- Requests for date/Tennyson
- Requests for date/Milton
- English adverbs
- English terms with quotations