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lordship

[lawrd-ship]
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noun
  1. (often initial capital letter) a term of respect used when speaking of or to certain noblemen (usually preceded by his or your).
  2. the state or dignity of a lord.
  3. the authority or power of a lord.
  4. the domain of a lord.
  5. British. (often initial capital letter) a term of respect used when speaking of or to judges (usually preceded by his or your).
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Origin of lordship

before 900; Middle English; Old English hlāfordscipe. See lord, -ship
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lordship

Historical Examples

  • I suppose he would have his Lordship's signing to this letter to be taken as a voucher for him.

    Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • Indeed, by some, it was not supposed to be from his Lordship's pen at all.

  • But—not to print, now—what are you going to do with His Lordship?

  • "That is the very thing of which I complain," said his lordship.

  • Of course your lordship will know which is the real lord at first sight.

British Dictionary definitions for lordship

lordship

noun
  1. the position or authority of a lord
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Lordship

noun
  1. (preceded by Your or His) British a title used to address or refer to a bishop, a judge of the high court, or any peer except a duke
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lordship

n.

c.1300, from Old English hlafordscipe "authority, rule" (translating Latin dominatio); see lord (n.) + -ship.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper