a man of rank or high position, esp a British nobleman e.g.:
a British nobleman, e.g. a baron, marquess, earl, or viscount
the son of a duke or marquess or the eldest son of an earl
a feudal tenant holding land directly from the king
a bishop of the Church of England
a ruler by hereditary right, to whom service and obedience are due
somebody from whom a feudal fee or estate is held
somebody who has achieved domination or who exercises leadership or great power in some area
press lords
lordless adj
lord-like adj
[Old English hlāford, from hlāf loaf + weard keeper; compare with lady]