vassalage
/'væsəlidʤ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The condition or status of being a vassal: This refers to the state of being a person who holds land from a superior lord and owes them loyalty and service in return.
- The homage, service, or obligations owed by a vassal to a lord: This meaning focuses on the duties and services required by the feudal relationship.
- A collective term for vassals: Refers to vassals as a group.
- A state of subordination or dependence: A more general sense of being in a subordinate or servile position.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The knight entered into vassalage, swearing fealty to the king in exchange for the fief.
- The heavy burdens of vassalage included military service and a portion of the harvest.
- The king summoned his vassalage to defend the realm.
- The small nation was reduced to a state of political vassalage by its powerful neighbor.
Advanced Usage
- "To hold in vassalage": To keep someone or something in a subordinate or dependent state.
- The empire held many conquered territories in vassalage for centuries.
Variants and Related Words
- Vassal (n): A person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system.
- The baron was a vassal of the crown.
- Fealty (n): A feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord.
- He swore an oath of fealty.
Synonyms
- Serfdom: The state of being a serf, a laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.
- Subjugation: The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control.
- Servitude: The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.
Related Phrases
- To pledge vassalage: To formally commit to the obligations of a vassal.
- The defeated chieftain was forced to pledge vassalage to the conquering king.
- To live in vassalage: To exist in a state of feudal or metaphorical dependence.
- They refused to live in vassalage and fought for their independence.
Noun
- the state of a serf