liegeman

[leej-muhn, leezh-]

noun

plural

liegemen 

1. a vassal; subject.

2. a faithful follower.

liegeman

/ ˈliːdʒˌmæn /

noun

1. (formerly) the subject of a sovereign or feudal lord; vassal

2. a loyal follower

Word History and Origins

Origin of liegeman¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; liege, man

Example Sentences

If Prince Philip will be remembered as Queen Elizabeth’s “liegeman of life and limb,” Mr. Emhoff may go down in history as Vice President Harris’s cheerleader in chief.

From New York Times

At the coronation of Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1953, the duke knelt before the sitting queen and pledged to be her “liegeman,” or faithful servant, for life.

From Washington Post

At her coronation at Westminster Abbey the next year, Prince Philip knelt before the sitting queen and pledged to be her “liegeman,” or faithful servant, for life.

From Washington Post

What lord should do less when his liegeman breaks an oath than build a fleet, kill his enemy and change the course of British history?

From The Guardian

The English king’s beasts were leopards in blazon, in ballad and chronicle, and in the mouths of liegeman and enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• servant