arrière-ban

American  

[ar-ee-er-ban, a-ryer-bahn] / ˈær iˌɛrˈbæn, a ryɛrˈbɑ̃ /

noun

PLURAL

arrière-bans

1. a group of vassals who owed military service, especially to French kings.

2. the summoning by a medieval ruler of all vassals and free men for military service.

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arrière-ban British  

/ arjɛrbɑ̃ /

noun

1. (in medieval France) a summons to the king's vassals to do military service

2. the vassals so assembled for military service

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Etymology

Origin of arrière-ban

First recorded in 1515–25; from French, alteration (by association with arrière “behind, rear”) of Old French arban, herban, from Germanic; compare Old High German hari “army,” ban “proclamation”; arrears, ban ²

Example Sentences

Even the name of Cshatriyas signifies landed proprietor; and, as in the old Germanic constitution, the arriere-ban was composed of landed proprietors, and the very possession of the soil imposed on the nobility the obligation of military service; so, in the Indian constitution, the two ideas of property in land, and military service, are indissolubly connected.

From Project Gutenberg

I have never touch'd her hand; When the arriere-ban goes through the land, Six basnets under my pennon stand;— Ah! qu'elle est belle La Marguerite.

From Project Gutenberg

He assembled the ban et arrière-ban of science, and armed himself cap-à-pie in knowledge for her defence.

From Project Gutenberg

I have never touch'd her hand; When the arriere-ban goes through the land, Six basnets under my pennon stand; Ah! qu'elle est belle La Marguerite.

From Project Gutenberg

Speaking generally, they belonged to the small nobility who fell under the category of the arrière-ban in time of war.

From Project Gutenberg