A Scottish term for a small landowner who works his own land, akin to a yeoman farmer. It blends 'cock' (historically used to suggest pride or self-importance) with 'laird' (a Scottish landholder), implying someone who lords over a modest patch. Typically encountered in historical or literary contexts discussing Scottish rural society.
The cocklaird took great pride in his few acres, attending market every week with produce from his own fields.
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(Scotland) smallholder.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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