feud

¹

[ fyood ]

noun

1. Also called blood feud. a bitter, continuous hostility, especially between two families, clans, etc., often lasting for many years or generations.
2. a bitter quarrel or contention:

   a feud between labor and management.

   Synonyms: difference, argument

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in a feud.

feud

²

[ fyood ]

noun

1. fee ( def 4 ).

feud

¹

/ fjuːd /

noun

1. feudal law land held in return for service

feud

²

/ fjuːd /

noun

1. long and bitter hostility between two families, clans, or individuals; vendetta
2. a quarrel or dispute

verb

1. intr to take part in or carry on a feud

Word History and Origins

Origin of feud¹

1300–50; variant of fead ( a misread as u ), Middle English fede < Middle French fe ( i ) de < Old High German fēhida; cognate with Old English fǣhth enmity. See foe, -th ¹

Origin of feud²

1605–15; < Medieval Latin feudum, variant of feodum. See fee

Word History and Origins

Origin of feud¹

C17: from Medieval Latin feodum , of Germanic origin; see fee

Origin of feud²

C13 fede , from Old French feide , from Old High German fēhida ; related to Old English fæhth hostility; see foe

Example Sentences

That feud has since grown into one of the tech world’s most closely watched lawsuits.

From New York Times

Kendrick Lamar reveals there’s more to his summer smash ‘Not Like Us’ than throwing shade at Drake as part of their public rap feud earlier this year.

From Los Angeles Times

The court previously heard Ms Gordon had been the unintended victim of a feud between rival gangs and that she had been trying to protect her children from gang violence.

From BBC

In an attempt to capitalise on Britain's feud with Germany during World War I, he was a principal organiser in the purchase of weapons which were to be shipped from Hamburg.

From BBC

Cronin was an assistant coach with both the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, teams that made up one half of two storied hockey feuds.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• altercation
• bad blood
• bickering
• conflict
• contest
• controversy
• disagreement
• discord
• dispute
• dissension
• enmity
• fight
• fracas
• hostility
• quarrel
• rivalry
• row
• run-in
• squabble
• strife