VASSAL
Etymology
From Middle English vassal,
from Old French vassal,
from Medieval Latin vassallus (“manservant, domestic, retainer”), from Latin vassus (“servant”),
from Gaulish *wassos (“young man, squire”),
from Proto-Celtic *wastos (“servant”) (compare Old Irish foss and Welsh gwas).
Noun
vassal (plural vassals)
- (historical, law) The grantee of a fief, a subordinate granted use of a superior's land and its income in exchange for vows of fidelity and homage and (typically) military service. synonyms ▲Synonyms: feudatory, feudal tenant
The manor's vassals owed first fruits and a tithe to the parish church, another 10% to the lord (including at least 50 eels), a week or two each year of service in the manor's upkeep, and service in the local fyrd.
- (historical) Any direct subordinate bound by such vows to a superior. synonyms ▲Synonyms: subject, dependant, bondsman, villein, serf, helot, thrall, servant, slave
The king ordered his vassals to join him on the crusade unless they had a written note signed by the archbishop or pope.
- (figurative) Any subordinate bound by similar close ties. quotations ▼
Derived terms
- envassal
- vassalage
- vassaldom
- vassaless
- vassalhood
- vassalic
- vassalize
- vassalry
- vassalship
- vassal state