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Vassal

/ˈvæsəl/

The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who keeps land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him, normally a lord of a manor; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Vassal"

noun

1
The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who keeps land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him, normally a lord of a manor; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.
2
A subordinate

verb

1
To treat as a vassal or to reduce to the position of a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
2
To subordinate to someone or something.

adjective

1
Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.

🔄 Synonyms of "Vassal"

4 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
feudatorynoun	Relating to feudalism, feudal.
liegemannoun	A male vassal (subject of a sovereign or lord).
liege subjectnoun	a person holding a fief
liegenoun	The subject of a sovereign or lord; a liegeman.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Vassal"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
feudatorynoun	A feudal vassal.
liegemannoun	A male vassal (subject of a sovereign or lord).
liegenoun	The subject of a sovereign or lord; a liegeman.
liege subjectnoun	a person holding a fief
serfnoun	A partially free peasant of a low hereditary class, attached like a slave to the land owned by a feudal lord and required to perform labour, enjoying minimal legal or customary rights.
clientnoun	A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services.
slavenoun	A person who is held in servitude as the property of another person, and whose labor (and often also whose body and life) is subject to the owner's volition and control.
minionnoun	A loyal servant of another, usually a more powerful being.
servantnoun	One who is hired to perform regular household or other duties, and receives compensation. As opposed to a slave.
retainernoun	A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.
vesselnoun	A craft for transportation on or in water, air, or space.
fiefnoun	(law, historical) Land held of a superior, particularly on condition of homage, fealty, and personal service, especially military service.
feudnoun	A state of long-standing mutual hostility.
villeinnoun	(historical) A feudal tenant, a serf.
homagenoun	(countable, uncountable) A demonstration of respect, as towards a person after his or her retirement or death.
geneatnoun	(historical) A retainer; vassal; one who holds lands of a superior either by service or payment of rent.
fiefholdnoun	(uncommon) A fief (that is held).
superior	Higher in rank, status, or quality.
tributenoun	An acknowledgment of gratitude, respect or admiration; an accompanying gift.
beneficenoun	Land granted to a priest in a church that has a source of income attached to it.