Vassal
noun
A person who is in a position of power's subservient or servant.
In the Middle Ages, a knight was typically a vassal of a powerful lord.
Often appears as...
- vassal state
- vassal king
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
A country which is under the control of another country.
After the war, the weaker nation became a vassal state to the dominant country.
Often appears as...
- vassal state
- vassal territory
Usage tips
Formal
Political
noun
A person who is in a position of power's subservient or servant.
In the Middle Ages, a knight was typically a vassal of a powerful lord.
Often appears as...
- vassal state
- vassal king
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
A country which is under the control of another country.
After the war, the weaker nation became a vassal state to the dominant country.
Often appears as...
- vassal state
- vassal territory
Usage tips
Formal
Political
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Use
The term is outdated and rarely used in daily conversation, but you might encounter it in historical contexts.
He studied the feudal system where lords had vassals.
Pro Tip 2/3Hierarchy Implication
'Vassal' implies a clear hierarchy; the vassal is always lower in status than the lord.
The vassal swore fealty to his sovereign lord.
Pro Tip 3/3Feudal System
'Vassal' is closely tied to the feudal system, so it's often used in discussions about medieval history.
Medieval vassals were granted land in exchange for service.
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Use
The term is outdated and rarely used in daily conversation, but you might encounter it in historical contexts.
He studied the feudal system where lords had vassals.
Pro Tip 2/3Hierarchy Implication
'Vassal' implies a clear hierarchy; the vassal is always lower in status than the lord.
The vassal swore fealty to his sovereign lord.
Pro Tip 3/3Feudal System
'Vassal' is closely tied to the feudal system, so it's often used in discussions about medieval history.
Medieval vassals were granted land in exchange for service.
Pro Tip 1/3Archaic Use
The term is outdated and rarely used in daily conversation, but you might encounter it in historical contexts.
He studied the feudal system where lords had vassals.
Pro Tip 2/3Hierarchy Implication
'Vassal' implies a clear hierarchy; the vassal is always lower in status than the lord.
The vassal swore fealty to his sovereign lord.
Pro Tip 3/3Feudal System
'Vassal' is closely tied to the feudal system, so it's often used in discussions about medieval history.
Medieval vassals were granted land in exchange for service.
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Quote examples
Thomas Bulfinch
American Writer
The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection.
Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
If we say to the E.U. our backstop position is that we will be the vassal state, why should the E.U. make any effort to make any arrangement other than us to be a vassal state?
Quote examples
Felix Adler
German Educator
No religion can long continue to maintain its purity when the church becomes the subservient vassal of the state.
Quote examples
Thomas Bulfinch
American Writer
The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection.
Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
If we say to the E.U. our backstop position is that we will be the vassal state, why should the E.U. make any effort to make any arrangement other than us to be a vassal state?
Quote examples
Felix Adler
German Educator
No religion can long continue to maintain its purity when the church becomes the subservient vassal of the state.
Example 1 of 3
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