liegeman
/'li:dʤmæn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A person holding a fief; a vassal: A liegeman is a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord in exchange for the right to hold and use a piece of land (a fief). 2. A loyal follower or subject: In a broader historical or figurative sense, a liegeman is a person who is bound by a pledge of loyalty and fidelity to a superior, such as a lord or sovereign.
Usage
The word "liegeman" is primarily used in historical contexts to describe feudal relationships. It can also be used figuratively in modern language to emphasize extreme loyalty. - It functions as a countable noun. - It is often used with possessive forms (e.g., the king's liegeman) or prepositions like to (e.g., liegeman to the duke).
Examples
- Historical Context:
- The baron summoned his liegemen to defend the castle.
- As a liegeman, he swore an oath of fealty to his lord.
- Figurative/Modern Context:
- He was a devoted liegeman to the political cause, never wavering in his support.
- The CEO's most trusted liegeman handled the sensitive negotiations.
Advanced Usage
- "To be a liegeman of": To be a loyal follower or vassal of a specific person or ideal.
- He considered himself a liegeman of justice.
- The concept is central to understanding feudal hierarchy, where a liegeman (vassal) had mutual obligations with his liege lord.
Variants and Related Words
- Liege (noun): The lord or sovereign to whom a liegeman owes allegiance.
- The knights fought for their liege.
- Liege lord (noun): The feudal lord entitled to the allegiance and service of a vassal.
- Vassal (noun): A synonym often used interchangeably with "liegeman" in a feudal context.
Synonyms
- Vassal: A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
- Retainer: A person employed to provide service, often with a connotation of long-term, loyal service.
- Subject: A person under the rule of a monarch or government.
- Follower: One who accepts the guidance or leadership of another.
Antonyms
- Rebel: A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler.
- Traitor: A person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc.
- Overlord: A ruler, especially a feudal lord.
Idioms and Phrases
- Swear fealty as a liegeman: To formally pledge loyalty as a vassal. This is a historical phrase describing the oath-taking ceremony.
- The knight knelt to swear fealty as a liegeman.
- A true liegeman: Used to emphasize someone's unwavering loyalty.
- Through every crisis, he proved himself a true liegeman.
Noun
- a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord