Lud"dite (?), n.
One of a number of riotous persons in England, who for six years (1811-17) tried to prevent the use of labor-saving machinery by breaking it, burning factories, etc.; -- so called from Ned Lud, a half-witted man who some years previously had broken stocking frames.
J. & H. Smith. H. Martineau.
© Webster 1913.