villein
[ vil-uh n, -eyn, vi-leyn ]
/ ˈvɪl ən, -eɪn, vɪˈleɪn /
noun
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.
Words nearby villein
Also villain.
Origin of villein
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH villein
villain villeinDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for villein
British Dictionary definitions for villein
villein
villain
/ (ˈvɪlən) /
noun
(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
Word Origin for villein
C14: from Old French vilein serf; see villain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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