feudal

[ fyood-l ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or like the feudal system, or its political, military, social, and economic structure.
2. of or relating to the Middle Ages.
3. of, relating to, or of the nature of a fief or fee:

   a feudal estate.

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

feudal

¹

/ ˈfjuːdəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a feud or quarrel

feudal

²

/ ˈfjuːdəl /

adjective

1. of, resembling, relating to, or characteristic of feudalism or its institutions
2. of, characteristic of, or relating to a fief Compare allodial
3. derogatory.
   old-fashioned, reactionary, etc

Other Words From

• feudal·ly adverb
• anti·feudal adjective
• non·feudal adjective
• non·feudal·ly adverb
• pre·feudal adjective
• quasi-feudal adjective
• quasi-feudal·ly adverb
• un·feudal adjective
• un·feudal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of feudal¹

From the Medieval Latin word feudālis, dating back to 1605–15. See feud ², -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of feudal¹

C17: from Medieval Latin feudālis , from feudum feud ²

Example Sentences

Part of the problem is that this is an archaic system, based on principles dating back to the feudal days of landowners and tenants.

From BBC

The "feudal" leasehold system in England and Wales will be overhauled by the end of the current Parliament, the government has announced, as campaigners raise concerns about delays.

From BBC

It's reminiscent of Elon Musk's Texas compound, where he can play out his fantasies of being a feudal king behind walls that shield him from the scary real world.

From Salon

The practice was initially met with resistance because of its feudal undertones, but eventually it gained traction by the late 19th century, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant industries.

From Salon

Moore questioned whether "the feudal spirit will be ever revived on the Western Continent again," describing it as "a social and political authority founded upon the subjugation of a weaker, by a more powerful race."

From Salon

Related Words

• antique
• archaic
• Gothic
• primitive