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Vassal - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Vassal : \Vas"sal\, n. [F., fr. LL. vassallus, vassus; of Celtic
origin; cf. W. & Corn. gwas a youth, page, servant, Arm. gwaz
a man, a male. Cf. Valet, Varlet, Vavasor.]
1. (Feud. Law) The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who
holds land of superior, and who vows fidelity and homage
to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant. --Burrill.
2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave. ``The vassals
of his anger.'' --Milton.
Rear vassal, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Vassal : \Vas"sal\, a.
Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
The sun and every vassal star. --Keble.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Vassal : \Vas"sal\, v. t.
To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
[Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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VASSAL, feudal law. This was the name given to the holder of a fief, bound
to perform feudal service; this word was then always correlative to that of
lord, entitled to such service.
2. TheVassal : himself might be lord of some other vassal.
3. In aftertimes, this word was used to signify a species of slave who
owed servitude, and was in a state of dependency on a superior lord. 2 Bl.
Com. 53; Merl. Repert. h.t.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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