lordship

lord-ship · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A title used when addressing or referring to a judge, bishop, or nobleman.

  2. 2.

    The authority, power, or territory of a lord.

  3. 3.

    The state or condition of being a lord.

Forms

plural: lordships

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Your Lordship — Formal address for a lord, judge, or bishop
  • •
    His Lordship — Referring to a lord in the third person (sometimes used sarcastically)

Related words

See also: ladyship, lord, lords, nobility
Synonyms: authority, dominion, rule, sovereignty

Etymology

From Old English hlafordscipe, from hlaford ("lord") + -scipe ("-ship," suffix denoting state or condition).