In feudal society, a vassal was a man who gave military service to a lord, in return for which he was protected by the lord and received land to live on.
2. countable noun [usually singular]
If you say that one country is a vassal of another, you mean that it is controlled by it.
[written, disapproval]
The question is whether the country is destined to end up as a vassal of its largernorthern neighbour. [+ of]
More Synonyms of vassal
vassal in British English
(ˈvæsəl)
noun
1.
(in feudal society) a man who entered into a personal relationship with a lord to whom he paid homage and fealty in return for protection and often a fief. A great vassal was in vassalage to a king and a rear vassal to a great vassal
2.
a.
a person, nation, etc, in a subordinate, suppliant, or dependent position relative to another
b.
(as modifier)
vassal status
adjective
3.
of or relating to a vassal
Derived forms
vassal-less (ˈvassal-less)
adjective
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Medieval Latin vassallus, from vassus servant, of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwas boy, Old Irish foss servant
vassal in American English
(ˈvæsəl)
noun
1.
in the Middle Ages, a person who held land under the feudal system, doing homage and pledging fealty to an overlord, and performing military or other duties in return for his protection; feudal tenant
2.
a subordinate, subject, servant, slave, etc.
adjective
3.
of or like a vassal; dependent, servile, etc.
4.
being a vassal
Word origin
OFr < ML vassalus, manservant, extension of vassus, servant < Celt: for IE base see valet
Examples of 'vassal' in a sentence
vassal
Embittered Tarn seemed finally resigned to its vassal status and paid its exorbitant taxes without a murmur.
Julian May IRONCROWN MOON: PART TWO OF THE BOREAL MOON TALE (2004)
(noun)
Definition
(in feudal society) a man who gave military service to a lord in return for protection and often land
the vassal's oath of homage to his lord
Synonyms
serf
He was the son of an emancipated serf.
slave
still living as slaves in the desert
bondsman
subject
His subjects regard him as a great and wise monarch.
retainer
the ever-faithful family retainer
thrall
varlet (archaic)
bondservant
liegeman
Additional synonyms
in the sense of retainer
Definition
a servant who has been with a family for a long time
the ever-faithful family retainer
Synonyms
servant,
domestic,
attendant,
valet,
supporter,
dependant,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
footman,
lackey,
vassal,
flunky
in the sense of slave
Definition
a person legally owned by another for whom he or she has to work without freedom, pay, or rights
still living as slaves in the desert
Synonyms
servant,
serf,
vassal,
bondsman,
slavey (British, informal),
varlet (archaic),
villein,
bondservant
in the sense of subject
Definition
a person under the rule of a monarch or government
His subjects regard him as a great and wise monarch.