LORD, a title of honour, given to those who are noble either by birth or by creation. The title is also by courtesy given to all the sons of dukes and marquises, and to the eldest sons of earls; and it is likewise a title of honour bestowed on those who are honourable by their employment, as Lord Advocate, Lord Chamberlain, Lord Chancellor, and the like. The word is Saxon, but abbreviated from two syllables into one; for it was originally Hlaford, which by dropping the aspiration became Laford, and afterwards by contraction Lord. "The etymology of the word," says Loates, "is well worth observing; for it was composed of laf, a loaf of bread, and ford, to give or afford; so that Hlaford, now Lord, implies a giver of bread, because, in those ages, such great men kept extraordinary houses, and fed all the poor; for which reason they were called givers of bread, a thing now much out of date, great men being much fond of retaining the title than of observing the practice for which it was first given."