Chapter Luciferians to Luddites of L by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Luciferians to Luddites

Luciferians A sect of the fourth century, who refused to hold any communion with the Arians, who had renounced their “errors” and been re-admitted into the Church. So called from Lucifer, Bishop of Cagliari, in Sardinia, their leader.

Lucinian The young prince, son of Dolopatos, the Sicilian monarch, entrusted to the care of Virgil, the philosopher. (See Seven Wise Masters, and Dolopatos.)

Lucius (See Pudens.)

Luck Accidental good fortune. (Dutch, luk; German, glück, verb glücken, to succeed, to prosper.)
   Down on one's luck. Short of cash and credit. “Not in luck's way,” not unexpectedly promoted, enriched, or otherwise benefited.
   Give a man luck and throw him into the sea. Meaning that his luck will save him even in the greatest extremity. Referring to Jonah and Arion, who were cast into the sea, but carried safely to land, the one by a whale and the other by a dolphin.

Luck for Fools This is a French proverb: “A fou fortune. ” And again, “Fortune est nourrice de folie. ”

Luck in Odd Numbers (See Odd.)

Luck of Eden Hall (The). A drinking cup, said to have been given to Miss Zoe Musgrave on her marriage with Mr. Farquharson, and still in Eden Hall, Cumberland. The tale is, that is was snatched surreptitiously from the fairies, who attached this threat to it:

“If that cup either break or fall,
Farewell the luck of Eden Hall.”

(See Eden Hall.)

Luck or Lucky Penny. A trifle returned to a purchaser for good luck. A penny with a hole in it, supposed to ensure good luck.

Lucky To cut one's lucky. To decamp or make off quickly: I must cut my stick As luck means chance, the phrase may signify, “I must give up my chance and be off. (See Cut ...)

Lucky Stone (A). A stone with a hole through it. (See Lucky Penny.)

Lucrezia di Borgia daughter of Pope Alexander VI., was thrice married, her last husband being Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara. Before her marriage with the duke she had a natural son named Gennaro, who was sent to be brought up by a Neapolitan fisherman. When arrived at man's estate he received a letter informing him that he was nobly born, and offering him a commission in the army. In the battle of Rimini he saved the life of Orsini, and they became sworn friends. In Venice he is introduced to the young nobles, who tell him of the ill deeds of Lucrezia Borgia. Each of them has had some relative put to death by her agency. Gennaro, in his indignation, mutilates the duke's escutcheon with his dagger, knocking off the “B” of his name, and changing Borgia into Orgia (orgies). Lucrezia, not knowing who has offered the insult, requests the duke that the perpetrator may be put to death, but when she discovers it to be her own son gives him an antidote to neutralise the poison he has drunk, and releases him from his confinement. Scarcely is he liberated when he and his companions are invited by the Princess Negroni to a banquet, where they are all poisoned, Lucrezia tells Gennaro he is her son, and dies herself as soon as her son expires. (Donizetti's opera.)

Lucullus sups with Lucullus Said of a glutton who gormandises alone. Lucullus was a rich Roman soldier, noted for his magnificence and self-indulgence. Sometimes above £1,700 was expended on a single meal, and Horace tells us he had 5,000 rich purple robes in his house. On one occasion a very superb supper was prepared, and when asked who were to be his guests the “rich fool” replied, “Lucullus will sup to-night with Lucullus.” (B.C. 110-57.)

Lucus a non Lucendo An etymological contradiction. The Latin word lucus means a “dark grove,” but is said to be derived from the verb luce o, to shine. Similarly our word black (the Anglo-Saxon blaec)