feudal

[ fyood-l ]

/ ˈfyud l /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR feudal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or like the feudal system, or its political, military, social, and economic structure.

of or relating to the Middle Ages.

of, relating to, or of the nature of a fief or fee: a feudal estate.

of or relating to the holding of land in a fief or fee.

Nearby words

Origin of feudal

From the Medieval Latin word feudālis, dating back to 1605–15. See feud², -al¹

Related forms

feu·dal·ly, adverban·ti·feu·dal, adjectivenon·feu·dal, adjectivenon·feu·dal·ly, adverb

pre·feu·dal, adjectivequa·si-feu·dal, adjectivequa·si-feu·dal·ly, adverbun·feu·dal, adjectiveun·feu·dal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for feudal

On Sark, horses and carts and feudal traditions still remain strong.
The Crazy Medieval Island of Sark|Liza Foreman|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That Silicon Valley is moving away from capitalism toward feudalism, with tech CEOs as feudal lords, and this is a good thing.
Occupying the Throne: Justine Tunney, Neoreactionaries, and the New 1%|Arthur Chu|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But they felt discriminated against by the local political bosses and feudal lords who ran the city.
Altaf Hussain Finally Arrested in London; Can His MQM Be Neutralized?|Bruce Riedel|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of the Last Samurai he said, “They make it look like Japan would not have made it out of the feudal period without Tom Cruise.”
Can ‘Belle’ End Hollywood’s Obsession with the White Savior?|Keli Goff|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Feudal families held much of the power in an untamed empire of mercenary armies warring for control of small sections of land.
This Week’s Hot Reads: April 8, 2013|G. Clay Whittaker|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At a county town I found a library of 4,000 volumes, largely an inheritance from the feudal regime.
The Foundations of Japan|J.W. Robertson Scott
It would amaze us to see the change in the life and surroundings of the feudal lords even in the years of William's minority.
The Normans|Sarah Orne Jewett
Rules of feudal warfare were established, the day of rest was observed, education of clergy and nobility were provided.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
And the scene continues, weirdly dramatic, like some old romantic tale of feudal days.
Frdric Mistral|Charles Alfred Downer
Richelieu and Mazarin saw the same, and destroyed what remained of the feudal nobility as a political power.
The Catholic World; Vol. IV.; October, 1866, to March, 1867.|E. Rameur

British Dictionary definitions for feudal

feudal

/ (ˈfjuːdəl) /

adjective

of, resembling, relating to, or characteristic of feudalism or its institutions

of, characteristic of, or relating to a fiefCompare allodial

derogatory old-fashioned, reactionary, etc

Word Origin for feudal

C17: from Medieval Latin feudālis, from feudum feud ²

adjective

of or relating to a feud or quarrel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for feudal

feudal

adj.

1610s, from Medieval Latin feudalis, from feudum "feudal estate," of Germanic origin (cf. Gothic faihu "property," Old High German fihu "cattle;" see fee). Related to Middle English feodary "one who holds lands of an overlord in exchange for service" (late 14c.).

feudal

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of feudal

Examples from the Web for feudal

feudal

adjective

Word Origin for feudal

adjective

feudal