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

"The magistrates didn't dare acquit Carlos," attorney Francis Villein said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hob does not know anything about it Nobody can tell whether a hawk is fit to fly except the man who is carrying it “Hob is only a villein anyway,” added Kay, and began to undo the leash and swivel from the jesses.

From Literature

Only neither the villein nor the farm labourer starved, when the master was a man like Sir Ector.

From Literature

Not a villein, not a vagabond.

From Literature

If a villein inherited enough strips of land to support his family, or if he was lucky enough to serve an honest and generous lord, he might live in relative comfort.

From Literature

Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher