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villein

American  
[vil-uhn, -eyn, vi-leyn] / ˈvɪl ən, -eɪn, vɪˈleɪn /

noun

  1. a member of a class of partially free persons under the feudal system, who were serfs with respect to their lord but had the rights and privileges of freemen with respect to others.


villein British  
/ ˈvɪlən /

noun

  1. (in medieval Europe) a peasant personally bound to his lord, to whom he paid dues and services, sometimes commuted to rents, in return for his land

"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

Etymology

Origin of villein

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at villain

Vocabulary lists containing villein

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Villein Without the towns progress was far slower and more fitful.

From History of the English People, Volume I Early England, 449-1071; Foreign Kings, 1071-1204; The Charter, 1204-1216 by Green, John Richard

What samurai youth has not heard of "Great Valor" and the "Valor of a Villein?"

From Bushido, the Soul of Japan by Nitobe, Inazo

After the Norman invasion the name of Villein, a person attached to the villa, was given to the serfs.

From Landholding in England by Fisher, Joseph, the younger, of Youghal

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