Lordly, a. [Compar. Lordlier; superl. Lordliest.]
Etymology: [Lord + -ly. Cf. Lordlike.]
1. Suitable for a lord; of or pertaining to a lord; resembling a lord; hence, grand; noble; dignified; honorable. She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. Judges v. 25. Lordly sins require lordly estates to support them. South. The maidens gathered strength and grace And presence, lordlier than before. Tennyson.
2. Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent. Lords are lordliest in their wine. Milton.
Syn. -- Imperious; haughty; overbearing; tyrannical; despotic; domineering; arrogant. See Imperious.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Lordly, adv.
In a lordly manner.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for lordly; he lists it under absolute.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.