feudatory

American  

[fyoo-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈfyu dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

noun

plural

feudatories

1. a person who holds lands by feudal tenure; a feudal vassal.

2. a fief or fee.

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adjective

1. (of a kingdom or state) under the overlordship of another sovereign or state.

2. (of a feudal estate) holding or held by feudal tenure.

feudatory British  

/ -trɪ, ˈfjuːdətərɪ /

noun

1. a person holding a fief; vassal

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adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of the relationship between lord and vassal

2. (esp of a kingdom) under the overlordship of another sovereign

Etymology

Origin of feudatory

1585–95; < Medieval Latin feudā ( tor ) fief-holder ( see feud ², -ator) + -tory ¹, -tory ² )

Example Sentences

"But Indore has been a powerful feudatory of the Raj," it said.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2025

In 1901 the population of the two remaining feudatory states was 125,281, Raigarh having 86,543 and Sarangarh 38,738.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

In the early days of the Yedo Bakufu it was not uncommon for a feudatory to enrol among his vassals refugee samurai who had blood on their hands.

From A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era by Brinkley, F. (Frank)

In Gwalior to the south, the feudatory Mahratta state, there were a large mutinous army, a Ranee only twelve years of age, an adopted chief of eight, and factions in the council of ministers.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

The Isle of Man, when subject to the Kings of Norway, was a subordinate feudatory kingdom.

From Legal Lore Curiosities of Law and Lawyers by Various