The spelling of the phrase "lords temporal" can seem confusing at first sight. However, knowing its phonetic transcription can help us understand its spelling. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), "lords temporal" can be transcribed as /lɔːdz ˈtɛmpərəl/. The "o" in "lords" is pronounced like "aw". Meanwhile, the "e" in "temporal" is pronounced as "e" in "bed". Overall, the phrase "lords temporal" refers to the secular nobility of the United Kingdom's House of Lords.
The term "lords temporal" refers to a specific group of individuals who hold hereditary positions in the British Parliament's upper house, the House of Lords. The House of Lords consists of two main categories: the lords spiritual, who are high-ranking Anglican bishops, and the lords temporal, who are members of the nobility.
The lords temporal is the larger of the two groups and is comprised of individuals who have inherited their titles and membership in the House of Lords. These titles include dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons. The members of this group are not elected or appointed, but rather their status is passed down through generations, with titles generally being inherited by the eldest son or closest male relative.
The lords temporal play a significant role in the legislative process within the House of Lords. They have the right to participate in debates, propose amendments, and vote on legislation. However, their powers have been significantly curtailed over time, particularly with the passage of the House of Lords Act in 1999, which reduced the number of hereditary peers who could sit and vote in the House of Lords.
Overall, the lords temporal represent the hereditary aristocracy in the British parliamentary system and have a historical role in shaping legislation in the country. However, in recent years, there have been ongoing debates about the composition and role of the House of Lords, leading to discussions on potential reforms to make it more accountable and democratic.
The peers of England, sixteen representatives of the Scotch, and twenty-eight of the Irish, peerage; House of Lords, one of the constituent parts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "lords temporal" is derived from the combination of two words: "lords" and "temporal".
The word "lords" is from the Old English word "hlāford", which means "ruler" or "master". It has roots in Old Norse and is associated with the Proto-Germanic word "hlafweard", which combines "hlaf" (meaning "loaf" or "bread") and "weard" (meaning "guard" or "keeper"). This etymology suggests that a lord was originally someone who owned or protected the land, providing sustenance for the people living on it.
The word "temporal" comes from the Latin word "temporalis", which means "of time" or "temporary". It is derived from the Latin term "tempus", which refers to time.