vassal

[ vas-uhl ]

noun

1. (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior; feudal tenant.
2. a person holding some similar relation to a superior; a subject, subordinate, follower, or retainer.
3. a servant or slave.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a vassal.
2. having the status or position of a vassal.

vassal

/ ˈvæsəl /

noun

1. (in feudal society) a man who entered into a personal relationship with a lord to whom he paid homage and fealty in return for protection and often a fief. A great vassal was in vassalage to a king and a rear vassal to a great vassal
2. 1. a person, nation, etc, in a subordinate, suppliant, or dependent position relative to another
   2. ( as modifier )

      vassal status

adjective

1. of or relating to a vassal

vassal

1. Under feudalism , a subordinate who placed himself in service to a lord in return for the lord's protection.

Derived Forms

• ˈvassal-less, adjective

Other Words From

• vassal·less adjective
• non·vassal noun
• sub·vassal noun
• under·vassal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vassal¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin vassallus, equivalent to vass ( us ) servant (< Celtic; compare Welsh gwas young man, Irish foss servant) + -allus noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of vassal¹

C14: via Old French from Medieval Latin vassallus, from vassus servant, of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwas boy, Old Irish foss servant

Related Words

• servant