lordination

Lordination is a term used primarily in fiction and online communities to describe the ceremonial act of becoming a lord or ascending to a lordly rank within a fictional or playful social structure. It is not an official title in modern states, but in fantasy settings it may function as a formal rite, oath, or grant of lands or privileges by a sovereign or governing council.

Etymology: The coinage combines “lord” with the suffix “-ination,” echoing words such as ordination or installation. In practice, it is used to denote inclusion into a noble status within imagined realms or speculative settings, rather than to indicate real-world legal authority.

Usage: In novels and games, a lordination might be conducted during a coronation, investiture, or communal ceremony; in online communities, it can be a ceremonial title conferred after achievements, recruitment, or service. It is often described with symbolic rites, banners, or insignia and can function as a plot device or community rite. The term can also appear in satirical or humorous contexts to discuss power dynamics or status hierarchies.

Limitations: There is no real-world legal status associated with lordination. Real nobility and titles in actual states are governed by established legal processes. In discourse, the term tends to function as a playful, speculative, or literary device rather than a formal system of governance.

Related concepts include nobility, coronation, and investiture. In practice, lordination remains primarily a fictional or metaphorical construct used to explore themes of status and authority.