lurdan, n. and a. Obs. exc. arch.
(ˈlɜːdən)
Also α. 4 lourdeine, 4–5 lordein, 4–6 lordeyn(e, lurdayne, -eyn(e, 4–6, 9 lurdane, 4, 7 lordan, 4, 7, 9 lourdan, 4–8 lurden, 5 lorden, 5–6 lurdayn, lordayne, 5–8 lordane, 6 lurdon, lordenne, lourdaine, -yne, 6–7 lurdein(e, lourdan(e, -en, 7 lurdain(e, lur-daine, lourdin, lordant, 9 Sc. lordoun. β. 6 Lorde Dane, -Dene, lor-Dane, 7 Lord-Dane, Lur-Dane.
[a. OF. lourdin, f. lourd heavy: see lourd.
The pseudo-etymology in quot. 1529 has affected the spelling of the word in many later examples.]
A. n. A general term of opprobrium, reproach, or abuse, implying either dullness and incapacity, or idleness and rascality; a sluggard, vagabond, ‘loafer’. (Cf. fever-lurden.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 13660 ‘Herd yee þis lurdan,’ coth þai, ‘Hu he wald lere vs nu vr lai.’ c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 9 Sibriht þat schrew as a lordan [AF. lers] gan lusk, A suynhird smote he to dede vnder a thorn busk. 1375 Barbour Bruce iv. 108 For thar within wes a tratour, A fals lurdane, ane losengeour. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxxvi. 145 (Harl. MS.) Sum of hem beþe thevis & some lurdaynes. 1529 Rastell Pastyme (1811) 131 These Danys before were so proud, y{supt} they kept the husbondmen lyke vyleyns;..the husbondmen called them Lorde Dane, which word now we use in obprobrye, callynge hym y{supt} we rebuke Lurdayn. 1603 H. Crosse Vertues Commw. (1878) 126 Some lur-daines that haue wealth left by their ancestors, holde it a poynt of wisedome to rest theyr idle limmes and spare their bodies. 1641 Milton Reform. ii. Wks. 1851 III. 44 Lourdan, quoth the Philosopher, thy folly is as great as thy filth. 1723 Ramsay Fair Assembly xviii, These lurdanes came just in my light. 1820 Scott Abbot iv, I found the careless lurdane feeding him with unwashed flesh, and she an eyass. 1865 Kingsley Herew. v, Next to them by chance sat a great lourdan of a Dane. |
| Comb. 1607 R. C[arew] tr. Estienne's World of Wonders 14 Lurden-like loutishnesse. |
b. rarely applied to a woman.
| 1513 Douglas æneis vi. viii. 82 That strang lurdane [Helen]..quham weill ȝe ken. |
¶ c. With allusion to the supposed etymology: see
quot. 1529 above.
| 1589 Mar Martine 5 To make new upstart Jacks Lor-Danes, with coine to cram their chests. ? 1690 Consid. Raising Money 27 This [taxation] is a way to bring a Lord-Dane into every one of our Families. |
B. adj. Worthless, ill-bred, lazy.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvi. (Baptista) 632 Ȝet he, þat of sic uertu wes, wes gefine til a lurdan las. 1582 Munday Eng. Rom. Life iv. 29 Whereby the lazie lurden Friers that keepe the Church gettes more ritches. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 32 Lurdane Sloth O'ercoups them a' mang savage swarms O' Hun and Goth. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 122 If I'se na soon exhibit sticket..This braggin' lordoun loun. 1859 Tennyson Ettarre 436 In one [pavilion]..droned her lurdane knights. |
Hence
† ˈlurdanry, rascality.
| 1513 Douglas æneis viii. Prol. 9 Leis, lurdanry, and lust ar our laid stern. |