See Also: lordly(1)(dictionary)
lordly(2)(dictionary)
lordly(dictionary)

lordly(1) (iou)



lordly adjective & noun. OE.
[from LORD noun + -LY1.]
A. adjective.
Of or pertaining to a lord or lords; consisting of lords; administered by lords. Now rare. OE.
John Hall Lordly or absolute Monarchy is the best and most natural Government. E. Miall Pensioning off supernumerary members of lordly houses.
Of a person: having the character, attributes, appearance, or demeanour of a lord. Of an action: befitting a lord; honourable, noble. LME.
C. H. Spurgeon He is more lordly than all emperors and kings. F. Raphael Byron's name is associated with lordly excess and romantic adventure.
b. Haughty, imperious, lofty, disdainful. LME.
L. Stephen A lordly indifference to making money by his writings.
Of a thing: fit for a lord; grand, magnificent, noble. L15.
H. G. Dakyns Cyrus was flying at lordlier game than certain irrepressible hill tribes. C. Mackenzie The lordly spread, of which a magnificent lobster was the piece de resistance.
b. absol. as noun. A lordly person or thing. Now usu., the lordly people as a class. L15.
lordlily adverb E17.
lordliness noun (a) lordly state or condition; (b) lordly disposition; grandeur; arrogance: LME.