Fief
noun
In the past, a piece of land given by a king or lord to someone who agreed to serve them, especially by fighting for them.
In medieval times, knights were often given a fief by their lord in return for loyalty and service.
Often appears as...
- hold a fief
- grant a fief
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In today's use, a fief is something someone controls or has rights to, and other people have to obey.
He treated the company as his personal fief.
Often appears as...
- personal fief
- corporate fief
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
In the past, a piece of land given by a king or lord to someone who agreed to serve them, especially by fighting for them.
In medieval times, knights were often given a fief by their lord in return for loyalty and service.
Often appears as...
- hold a fief
- grant a fief
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In today's use, a fief is something someone controls or has rights to, and other people have to obey.
He treated the company as his personal fief.
Often appears as...
- personal fief
- corporate fief
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Medieval Context
Fief is closely linked to medieval history, relating to nobility and land.
He studied how the fief system shaped medieval society.
Pro Tip 2/3Service Exchange
A fief involved an agreement of service, typically military, for land tenure.
The warrior received a fief for his service to the king.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Feudalism
Fief is a term from feudal systems where society was structured in hierarchies.
Under feudalism, serfs worked on the lord's fief.
Pro Tip 1/3Medieval Context
Fief is closely linked to medieval history, relating to nobility and land.
He studied how the fief system shaped medieval society.
Pro Tip 2/3Service Exchange
A fief involved an agreement of service, typically military, for land tenure.
The warrior received a fief for his service to the king.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Feudalism
Fief is a term from feudal systems where society was structured in hierarchies.
Under feudalism, serfs worked on the lord's fief.
Pro Tip 1/3Medieval Context
Fief is closely linked to medieval history, relating to nobility and land.
He studied how the fief system shaped medieval society.
Pro Tip 2/3Service Exchange
A fief involved an agreement of service, typically military, for land tenure.
The warrior received a fief for his service to the king.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Feudalism
Fief is a term from feudal systems where society was structured in hierarchies.
Under feudalism, serfs worked on the lord's fief.
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