Lombard \Lom"bard\, n. [F. lombard, fr. the Longobardi or
Langobardi, i. e., Longbeards, a people of Northern Germany,
west of the Elbe, and afterward in Northern Italy. See
Long, and Beard, and cf. Lumber.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Lombardy.
2. A money lender or banker; -- so called because the
business of banking was first carried on in London by
Lombards.
3. Same as Lombard-house.
A Lombard unto this day signifying a bank for usury
or pawns. --Fuller.
4. (Mil.) A form of cannon formerly in use. --Prescott.
Lombard Street, the principal street in London for banks
and the offices of note brokers; hence, the money market
and interest of London.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |