colonus

[ kuh-loh-nuh s ]

/ kəˈloʊ nəs /

a serf in the latter period of the Roman Empire or in the early feudal period.

Words nearby colonus

1885–90; < Latin colōnus inhabitant of a colony, tenant-farmer, farmer, derivative of colere to inhabit, till, cultivate; cf. cult, cultivate

A colony is therefore denominated because they should be coloni, the tillers of the earth and stewards of fertility.
The Bounty of the Chesapeake|James Wharton
Such land was let either on five-year leases or in perpetuity to coloni.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3|Various
Concerning the coloni or servi of the Church, what services and tributes they are to render.
The English Village Community|Frederic Seebohm
The Roman estate had been cultivated by free farmers, by coloni, and by slave labour.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 4|Various

In this respect they resembled very closely the Roman 'coloni' on a private villa.
The English Village Community|Frederic Seebohm