Middle English Dictionary Entry
lōrden v.
Entry Info
| Forms | lōrden v. Also lord(e, loverd, laverd. |
| Etymology | From lōrd n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To govern, rule; hold sway; rule (sb.); ~ of (in, til), have dominion over (sb., a country); (b) ~ in, to be the owner of (land).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3267 : On lordeth, and an other serveth.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)102.19 : Lauerd in heuen graiþed sete his, And his rike til alle sal lauerd [vr. louerd; L dominabitur].
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)166 : I was wroght..Be him that lordeth ech intelligence.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)68/2021 : O god, that lordist euery creature, Graunt of thi grace thi right forto mesure On alle the offensis she hath doon.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)74/2187 : Thou lord, that lordist alle aloft..crowne hir lord within thyn hevenly spere.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)113/3399 : Refresshe the castelle of my poore hert With sum lyvyng of ioy or of plesaunce..Not suffir him to lorde this fals coward.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)42 : Crist..is verray Lord, for man was maad to lord in alle creaturis.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)52bb : Joseph thy sone lyueth & he lordeth [Vulg. Gen.45.26: dominatur] in alle the londe of Egypte.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)18.14 : If thai [my sins] ware noght lordid of me, than i sall be withouten wem.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)54/34 : A man may lightly knowe..whether wyt or no wyt be yn a kynge lordand.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.84 : Þe more he [the rich] wynneth and welt welthes & ricchesse, And lordeth in londes, þe lasse good he deleth.