v. [UN-2 6 b.] trans. (and refl.) To deprive of the rank of lord.
1572. in Neal, Hist. Purit. (1732), I. 288. Because … we would have Bishops unlorded.
1648. Prynne, Plea for Lords, 1. The treasonable … designe … to … unlord the Lords.
1669. Shadwell, Royal Shepherdess, III. i. Those wild desires, That made me … then Unlord my Confident.
1714. Atterbury, in Beeching, Life, ix. (1909), 261. Furnishing the Reverend Bench with such Members as few Churchmen will pity or regret, when they shall be unlorded.
1828. Caroline Fry, Scripture Reader’s Guide, ii. 20. He would incline to unlord himself again, and return to his companions in the cellar.
1875. Tennyson, Q. Mary, IV. ii. We had to dis-archbishop and unlord, And make you simple Cranmer once again.
fig. 1656. S. Winter, Serm., 42. The Papists … make void and unlord the second commandment.
1662. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., III. xviii. 171. Ye have made void … the Commandment … ἠκυρώσατε, you have unlorded it.
Hence Unlording vbl. sb.
1649. Milton, Eikon., vi. 52. The unlording of Bishops, and expelling them the House.
