seignior

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a feudal or manorial lord, especially in France or French colonial territories

   The seignior collected dues from the tenant farmers on his estate.

2. 2
   noun

   archaic: a man of rank or authority, or a respectful title for such a man

   The petition was formally addressed to the seignior who governed the town.

From Middle English senyour and Old French seignor or seignior, from Latin seniorem, the accusative of senior ("older"). As age implied precedence and authority, the word developed into a title for a lord. It is a doublet of seigneur, senior, sir, and sire.

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