vassal

vassal
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Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
vas·sal
/;vas(;)l/
nounhistorical
noun: vassal; plural noun: vassals
a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
Similar:
villein
liege
liegeman
man
bondsman
vavasour
serf
helot
slave
thrall
subject
Opposite:
freeman
lord
a person or country in a subordinate position to another.
"a much stronger nation can also turn a weaker one into a vassal state"
Origin

late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin vassallus ‘retainer’, of Celtic origin; compare with vavasour.
Use over time for: vassal

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Vassal Definition & Meaning

Merriam-Webster
https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › vassal
5 days ago — 1. a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty : a feudal tenant 2. one in a subservient or subordinate position.

VASSAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

Cambridge Dictionary
https://dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › vassal
a man who agreed to fight for a king or lord (= rich and powerful land owner) when needed, in exchange for land to live on (also vassal state) a country.