Vassal
['væs(ə)l] or ['væsl]
Definition
(noun.) a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord.
Inputed by Jackson--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who holds land of superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.
(n.) A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave.
(a.) Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
(v. t.) To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
Checker: Ramona
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Feudatory, feudal tenant.[2]. Subject, dependant, retainer.[3]. Servant, bondman, slave.
Typed by Agatha
Definition
n. one who holds land from and renders homage to a superior: a dependant retainer: a bondman slave: (Shak.) a low wretch.—adj. (Shak.) servile.—v.t. to enslave to dominate.—ns. Vass′alāge state of being a vassal: dependence: subjection: a fee fief: (Shak.) vassals collectively; Vass′aless (Spens.) a female vassal; Vass′alry vassals collectively.
Checked by Curtis
Examples
- In many points of detail the vassal's services differed widely in different parts of the feudal world. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- One is reminded of the lines of Tennyson: Large elements in order brought And tracts of calm from tempest made, And world fluctuation swayed In vassal tides that followed thought. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I took my young sister (for I have another) to a place beyond the reach of this man, and where, at least, she will never be _his_ vassal. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- She held herself aloof from me as if she had been a queen, and I her humble, unwashed vassal. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- By a feudal law, the vassal could not alienate without the consent of his superior, who generally extorted a fine or composition on granting it. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The heir of every immediate vassal of the crown paid a certain duty, generally a year's rent, upon receiving the investiture of the estate. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The faithful performance of all the duties he had assumed in homage constituted the vassal's right and title to his fief. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- We accepted the contract, and said-- Now persuade your vassals to fall back. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Many of his vassals had assembled at the news of his death, and followed the bier with all the external marks, at least, of dejection and sorrow. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Around her throng her eager, plump, happy feathered vassals John is about the stables, and John must be talked to, and her mare looked at. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Is Sator Throg to be murdered by his own vassals? Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- But we will make the vassals call him. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Edited by Denny