vassal

American  

[vas-uhl] / ˈvæs əl /

noun

1. (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior; feudal tenant.

2. a person holding some similar relation to a superior; a subject, subordinate, follower, or retainer.

3. a servant or slave.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a vassal.

2. having the status or position of a vassal.

vassal British  

/ ˈvæsəl /

noun

1. (in feudal society) a man who entered into a personal relationship with a lord to whom he paid homage and fealty in return for protection and often a fief. A great vassal was in vassalage to a king and a rear vassal to a great vassal

2. 1. a person, nation, etc, in a subordinate, suppliant, or dependent position relative to another

   2. ( as modifier )

      vassal status

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adjective

1. of or relating to a vassal

vassal Cultural  

1. Under feudalism, a subordinate who placed himself in service to a lord in return for the lord's protection.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvassal noun
• subvassal noun
• undervassal noun
• vassal-less adjective
• vassalless adjective

Etymology

Origin of vassal

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin vassallus, equivalent to vass ( us ) servant (< Celtic; compare Welsh gwas young man, Irish foss servant) + -allus noun suffix

Example Sentences

The sole survivor of a disgraced noble family, Mariko’s past looms over her commitment to her duties as Toranaga’s vassal, a wife and a devout Catholic.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2024

Fealty in medieval Europe was an oath of fidelity in which the vassal pledged not to harm his lord or damage to his property.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2023

When asked if Laos is at risk of becoming a vassal state, Mr Menon said "that ship has sailed".

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2023

Shaipov said Muscovy inherited its political culture not from Europe, but from the Mongol Empire of which it had long been a vassal.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2023

Only in 1428 did Itzacoatl, a newly selected tlatoani, ally with two other small vassal states to overthrow their mutual overlords.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• servant