English

Noun

lairdship ‎(plural lairdships)

1. (Scotland) the state or condition of being a laird
   • 1715, S.R. Crockett, Bog-Myrtle and Peat:

     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.:

     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:

     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:

     '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?'