noun
vassal
VA-suhl
Vassal (noun) means In the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service. Example: “The knight became a vassal of the duke, pledging military service in exchange for his estate.”
noun
1
In the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service.
"The knight became a vassal of the duke, pledging military service in exchange for his estate."
"Vassals owed their lord a portion of the harvest each year."
2
By extension, any person, group, or country under the control or influence of a more powerful one.
"Critics accused the smaller nation of acting as a vassal state to its powerful neighbor."
adj
1
Behaving in a servile, subordinate way.
"The company took a vassal role in the partnership, always deferring to its larger rival."
How to use vassal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) tied to serving and obeying a more powerful lord or power.
Common pairings
vassal state
vassal of the crown
a loyal vassal
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Word forms
- Plural
- vassals
- Third person singular
- vassals
- Past tense
- vassaled, vassalled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight became a _____ of the duke, pledging military service in exchange for his estate.
Etymology
From Old French vassal, going back through Medieval Latin vassallus ("servant") to a Celtic word for a young man or squire.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “vassal” mean?
The word “vassal” means in the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service. In plain terms, someone (or something) tied to serving and obeying a more powerful lord or power.
How do you pronounce “vassal”?
“Vassal” is pronounced VA-suhl (/ˈvæsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “vassal” in a sentence?
Here is “vassal” used in a sentence: “The knight became a vassal of the duke, pledging military service in exchange for his estate.”
What part of speech is “vassal”?
Depending on how it is used, “vassal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “vassal” come from?
The word “vassal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French vassal, going back through Medieval Latin vassallus ("servant") to a Celtic word for a young man or squire.
How many meanings does “vassal” have?
“Vassal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service.
