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

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

From Literature

When you think about the matter, it’s as good as any sermon, For the villeins feed the miller, and the miller feeds the vermin.

From Literature

The farm was cultivated partly by the work of these hired servants, partly by the services owed by the villeins.

From Project Gutenberg

At the latter date besides seventy-three villeins, bordars and serfs there were forty cervisarii, a species of unfree tenants who rendered their custom in the form of beer.

From Project Gutenberg

Not in free and common socage, but in this amphibious subordinate class of villein socage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher