villein

[ vil-uhn, -eyn, vi-leyn ]

noun

1. a member of a class of partially free persons under the feudal system, who were serfs with respect to their lord but had the rights and privileges of freemen with respect to others.

villein

/ ˈvɪlən /

noun

1. (in medieval Europe) a peasant personally bound to his lord, to whom he paid dues and services, sometimes commuted to rents, in return for his land

Word History and Origins

Origin of villein¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; villain

Word History and Origins

Origin of villein¹

C14: from Old French vilein serf; see villain

Example Sentences

After the Norman invasion the name of Villein, a person attached to the villa, was given to the serfs.

From Project Gutenberg

A case still more familiar to most readers is that of the word villain or villein.

From Project Gutenberg

"I very much would like to see a villein drown," cried a lad of eleven years, son of the Sire of Bourgeuil.

From Project Gutenberg

The villein took the cruel blow without wince or cry, as one to whom stripes are a birthright and an inheritance.

From Project Gutenberg

The villein regardant might be severed from the manor, with or without land, and would then become a villein in gross.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher