cotton-lord
Definition
- Noun:
- A wealthy cotton merchant or capitalist: "cotton-lord" refers to a person of great wealth and power in the cotton industry, especially a factory owner or trader who controlled large-scale production and trade during the Industrial Revolution.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The cotton-lord built a vast fortune by exploiting cheap labor in the mills. (A wealthy cotton merchant who became rich through the cotton trade.)
- During the 19th century, cotton-lords dominated the economy of Manchester. (Powerful capitalists who controlled cotton manufacturing.)
Advanced Usage
- "cotton-lord" as a historical term: Often used to describe the industrial magnates of the British cotton industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, who wielded significant economic and political influence.
- The cotton-lord's influence extended beyond business into local politics. (The capitalist's power reached into government affairs.)
Variants and Related Words
Cotton (n): a soft, white fibrous substance used to make cloth.
- The cotton-lord's wealth came from the cotton trade. (The raw material of the industry.)
Lord (n): a person who has authority, control, or power over others; often used figuratively.
- The cotton-lord behaved like a feudal lord over his workers. (A person with dominant power.)
Synonyms
- Capitalist: a person who owns or controls capital and uses it for investment.
- Magnate: a wealthy and influential person, especially in business or industry.
- Industrialist: a person who owns or manages a large industrial company.
Related Idioms
- A cotton-lord's empire: a vast business or industrial domain controlled by a cotton capitalist.
- The cotton-lord's empire stretched from the mills to the shipping docks. (His business holdings were extensive.)
Notes
- This term is largely historical and carries a critical connotation, often highlighting the social and economic inequalities of the Industrial Revolution. It is not commonly used in modern English except in historical contexts.