overlord
/ˈəʊvə(ɹ)lɔː(ɹ)d/ noun, verb
Forms overlords overlording overlorded
- noun A ruler of other rulers. “The various tribal chieftains met each spring to elect an overlord that would lead them in time of war.”
- noun (historical) A feudal lord directly owed rent or personal service by a tenant of subinfeudated land, a tenant's liege lord. “The tenant owed a variety of obligations to his overlord—usually including military service or serjeanty—but these were gradually converted into monetary rents.”
- noun (typically derogatory) Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain. “The crusty old professor was overlord of the history department, and few dared to cross his will.”
- verb To rule over; to domineer.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English oferrlaferrd, orlard, our-lord, ouyr-lord, equivalent to over- + lord.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “overlord”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details