overlord

English

Etymology

over- +‎ lord

Noun

overlord (plural overlords)

1. A ruler of other rulers.

   The various tribal chieftains met each spring to elect an overlord that would lead them in time of war.

2. (historical) In the English feudal system, a lord of a manor who had subinfeudated a particular manor, estate or fee, to a tenant.

   The tenant thenceforth owed to the overlord one of a variety of services, usually military service or serjeanty, depending on which form of tenure the estate was held under.

3. Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.

   The crusty old professor was overlord of the history department, and few dared to cross his will.

   • 2009, Charles Stross, The Jennifer Morgue, page 239:

     Fluffy is wearing a diamond collar that belongs in the Tower of London with a platoon of Beefeaters standing guard over it. "I for one welcome our new feline overlords."

Usage notes

• (one with power or authority): This sense frequently carries negative connotations, and may imply tyranny or authoritarianism.

Derived terms

• overlordship

Related terms

• overlady

Translations

a ruler of other rulers

• Dutch: opperheer m
• Georgian: მბრძანებელი (ka) (mbrʒanebeli), ბატონი (baṭoni), სიუზერენი (siuzereni)
• Icelandic: lénsdrottinn m, lénsherra (is) m
• Irish: ard-aire m, ardtiarna m
• Italian: signore supremo m, sovrano (it) m

• Japanese: 覇王 (haō)
• Manx: ard-hiarn m
• Russian: царь (ru) m (carʹ), верхо́вный князь (ru) (verxóvnyj knjazʹ)
• Swedish: överherre c

anyone with overarching power or authority in given domain

• Italian: signore feudale m

• Spanish: señor feudal

Verb

overlord (third-person singular simple present overlords, present participle overlording, simple past and past participle overlorded)

1. To rule over; to domineer.

Anagrams

• lord over