vassal — meaning in English

English meaning

• liege noun In feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty.
• vassal noun In the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service.

Senses

vassal is used for these senses in English:

• liege The subject of a sovereign or lord; a liegeman.
• vassal (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.

liege — full definition

1. noun In feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty.
2. adj Relating to the mutual duties between a feudal lord and his subjects; bound by loyalty and service.

vassal — full definition

1. noun In the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service.
2. noun By extension, any person, group, or country under the control or influence of a more powerful one.
3. adj Behaving in a servile, subordinate way.

Related French words