Etymology From Middle English lordly, lordlich, from Old English hlāfordlīċ (“lordly; heroic; noble”), equivalent to lord + -ly (forming adjectives).
1
Of or relating to a lord.
Show us your lordly might: demonstrate that you can order people and get them to obey.
But they are the peers of the Queensland Parliament, and, having no lordly robes, must approach the Old Country model as closely as possible.1880, John Nichols, The Gentleman’s Magazine, volume 248, page 60:
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[I]n that some form of duty and sacrifice (here, participation in the 1848 Revolution and a recognition of his lordly duty) is not only beneficially character-forming but also leads ultimately to a condition which is 'sublime'.2006, Steve Wharton, Screening Reality, page 104:
Samson, in reply to this, says, “If you are not lordly, nor value your lordly title, as you tell me, and I trust in truth and sincerity, shall I call you a phoenix?2011, Thomas Smith, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, Select Memoirs of the English and Scottish Divines, page 282:
[H]e's still got his lordly habits, and more so since coming out of the war as a general.' 'A colonel, Sammy,' said Rachel. 'Same thing, good as,' said Sammy. 'Boots, of course, does wear his lordly crown with style,' said Rachel. 'Don't I know it?2011, Mary Jane Staples, Appointment at the Palace: An Adams Family Saga Novel, page 275:
2
Having the qualities of a lord; lordlike; noble
Deep, indeed, / Their debt of thanks to her who first had dared / To leap the rotten pales of prejudice, / Disyoke their necks from custom, and assert / None lordlier than themselves but that which made / Woman and man.1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Part II”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 30:
3
Appropriate for, or suitable to, a lord; glorious.
He asked water, and she gaue him milke, shee brought forth butter in a lordly dish.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Judges 5:25:
It had also its Hall, called the Priory—an older, a larger, a more lordly abode than any Briarfield or Whinbury owned; […]1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], “The First Blue-Stocking”, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume III, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, page 77:
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The maidens gathered strength and grace / And presence, lordlier than before.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “(please specify |part=Prologue or Epilogue, or |canto=I to CXXIX)”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
There was one great tomb more lordly than all the rest.1897, Bram Stoker, “Mina Harker’s Journal”, in Dracula, New York, N.Y.: Modern Library, →OCLC, chapter XXVII, pages 409–410:
That night the whisky was unstoppered and Bradly lolled in bed, smoking, and betimes sweeping out an arm of conquest for his nobbler and taking a lordly pull at it.1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 57:
4
Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent.
Lords are Lordlieſt in thir wine; […]1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 84:
Etymology From Middle English lordly, lordely, lordliche, equivalent to lord + -ly (forming adverbs).
1
In the manner of a lord. Showing command or nobility.
1891, Sir Edwin Arnold, The Light of the World: Or, The Great Consummation, Book I — “Mary Magdalene”, Funk & Wagnalls, page 56, […] / And Herod's painted pinnaces, ablaze / With lamps, and brazen shields and spangled slaves, / Came and went lordly at Tiberias; / […]
Look at man, then, walking lordly amidst the gigantic flora and fauna of long ago; and see if seven, eight, nine hundred years do not sit serenely on his mighty brow.1925, Claude Kean, Stock Charges Against the Bible, published 2003, page 61: