sb. and a. Obs. exc. arch. 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. sb. 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 her beþe thevis & some lurdaynes.
1529. Rastell, Pastyme (1811), 131. These Danys before were so proud, yt they kept the husbondmen lyke vyleyns;… the husbondmen called them Lorde Dane, which word now we use in obprobrye, callynge hym yt 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.
1642. 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], trans. 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 † Lurdanry, rascality.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 9. Leis, lurdanry, and lust ar our laid stern.
