lollard means A member of a sect of early reformers in Germany. It carries an Arena rating of 1356, earned across 113 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, lollard ranks #1,106 of 17,132 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,155 of 17,163 for Funniest Words, #3,708 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #6,143 of 17,140 for Most Whimsical Words.
lollard is pronounced /ˈlɒlɑː(ɹ)d/.
Why “lollard” is a great word
LOLLARD — [Noun] A member of a 14th- and 15th-century English religious movement, inspired by John Wycliffe, that advocated for scriptural authority and clerical reform. From Middle Dutch *lollaerd* ("mumbler"), from *lollen* ("to mumble, mutter"), likely a derogatory reference to their manner of prayer. Unlike "Wycliffite," which denotes a precise theological allegiance, or "Hussite," which names a distinct, militant continental chapter, "Lollard" is the soiled, common coin of the realm—the term of contempt that became an identity. It evokes the scent of tallow smoke in a peasant’s hut where a forbidden Bible is read aloud, the warm friction of a vernacular page turned by calloused hands, and the patient, obstinate silence before the inquisitor’s fire—the stubborn hum of a faith that refused to be quieted.
Etymology
Late Middle English, possibly from or influenced by Dutch lollen (“to mumble”). Other origins have been proposed; see Lollardy.
noun
- A member of a sect of early reformers in Germany.
- A Wycliffite.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- lollardy 74% match — The political and religious movement of the Lollards (Wycliffites). vs lollard →
- lollardry 65% match — Synonym of Lollardism. vs lollard →
- hussite 58% match — A follower of the teachings of the Christian reformer Jan Hus. vs lollard →
- templer 57% match — A member of a German pietist sect that emerged in the mid-19th century. vs lollard →
- laudian 56% match — A supporter of an early 17th-century reform movement within the Church of England, promulgated by Archbishop William Laud, that rejected the predestination upheld by the previously dominant Calvinism in favour of free will, and hence the possibility of salvation for all. vs lollard →
- lutherist 55% match — A scholar who studies Luther or his works. vs lollard →
- flacian 54% match — A Gnesio-Lutheran. vs lollard →
- wycliffism 54% match — The religious beliefs of the Wycliffites. vs lollard →