Definition

Proper noun: - Lord Todd: A title and name referring to Alexander Robertus Todd, Baron Todd, a Scottish-born biochemist. He is noted for his Nobel Prize-winning research on the structure and synthesis of nucleotides, nucleosides, and nucleotide co-enzymes, which are fundamental to understanding nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.

Usage Notes

• "Lord Todd" is used as a formal reference to the scientist in historical, academic, or biographical contexts. It combines his aristocratic title ("Lord," specifically a Baron) with his surname.
• It is typically used as a whole noun phrase and is not commonly separated (e.g., one would not typically say "the Lord" or "a Todd" in this context).

Examples

• As a subject:
  • Lord Todd was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1957.
  • The contributions of Lord Todd to organic chemistry were immense.
• In possessive form:
  • Lord Todd's work laid the groundwork for modern molecular biology.

Advanced Usage

• The title "Lord" precedes the surname "Todd." His full title and name was "Alexander Robertus Todd, Baron Todd."
• In very formal or ceremonial writing, one might encounter the full formulation: "The Right Honourable Lord Todd."

Variants and Related Words

• Alexander R. Todd: A common abbreviated form of his full name used in scientific citations.
• Sir Alexander Todd: The knighthood title he held before being raised to the peerage as a Baron.
• Baron Todd: His specific title in the peerage; "Lord Todd" is the customary form of address for a Baron.

Synonyms

• Alexander Todd
• A. R. Todd (common in scientific literature)

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically and exclusively refers to the 20th-century Scottish Nobel laureate chemist. It does not have a general meaning outside of this biographical reference.
• It should not be confused with the separate common nouns "lord" (a ruler or nobleman) or "todd" (which is not a standard English word).

Noun

1. Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)