Obs. Forms: 2 larþeow, -þeaw, -þeu, -þeau, -þaw, 2–3 larðew, 3 lorðeau, -ðeu, -ðew, -þeaw. [repr. OE. *lárþéow (f. lár teaching, LORE sb.1 + þéow slave), presumed earlier form of láréow LAREW.] A teacher, preceptor, instructor.
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., John i. 38. Rabbi þæt ys ʓecweðen & ʓe-reaht larðeow [c. 1000 lareow].
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 117. He [þe biscop] godes budel is and to larþeawe iset þan leawede folke.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 7. Þe lauerd sainte powel is heued lorðeau of alle holie chirechen.
a. 1250. Prov. Ælfred, 105, in O. E. Misc., 108. Þe mon þe on his youhþe yeorne leorneþ wit and wisdom … he may beon on elde wenliche lorþeu.
