Lairdship

Origin

laird + -ship

Full definition of lairdship

Noun

1. (Scotland) the state or condition of being a laird
• 1715, S.R. Crockett, Bog-Myrtle and Peat Chapter , He would as soon have thought of wearing a white linen shirt or having the lairdship of a barony, as of getting ham to his breakfast.
• 1855, Robert Burns and Allan Cunningham, The Complete Works of Robert Burns= Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. Chapter , II. I whyles claw the elbow o' troublesome thought; But man is a sodger, and life is a faught: My mirth and guid humour are coin in my pouch, And my freedom's my lairdship nae monarch dare touch.
• 1918, Mary Johnston, Foes Chapter , They talked of affairs, particular and general, of Ian's late proceedings and the lairdship of Alexander, of men and places that they knew away from this countryside. # The area of land owned by a laird
• 1874, Edward Bannerman Ramsay, Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character Chapter , 'Laird,' said she (for so she always called him, though his lairdship was of the smallest), 'will ye tell them to bury me whaur I'll lie across at your feet?'