Serf
[sɜːf] or [sɝf]
Definition
(noun.) (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord.
Typed by Ina--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) A servant or slave employed in husbandry, and in some countries attached to the soil and transferred with it, as formerly in Russia.
Typed by Gus
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Slave (attached to the soil), bondman, thrall, bond-servant.
Editor: Rufus
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Slave, servant, villain, laborer
ANT:Lord, baron, squire, proprietor, noble, landowner, liege, liegelord
Inputed by Jackson
Definition
n. a slave attached to the soil and sold with it: a labourer rendering forced service in Russia: a menial.—ns. Serf′age Serf′dom condition of a serf.
Typist: Miranda
Examples
- No longer a serf, but a freeman and a landholder, Gurth sprung upon his feet, and twice bounded aloft to almost his own height from the ground. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Plantation gangs began to oust the patch cultivation of the labourer-serf in the case of some staple products. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- One hand of the mistress generally reposes on the loving serf's rude head, because if she takes it away he groans and is discontented. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The Templar, a serf in all but the name, can possess neither lands nor goods, and lives, moves, and breathes, but at the will and pleasure of another. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Let them unload two of the sumpter-mules, and put the baggage behind two of the serfs. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- In fact he sought to make them serfs. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The poor farmers were serfs and came two or three days out of a week to their master’s house to work. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- This will be an abundant fulfilment of the Prince's promises, so far as this herd of Saxon serfs is concerned. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Editor: Maggie