Definitions and Examples of subject, vassal
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
A person who is under the authority or control of another; a subordinate.
Example
The citizens of the kingdom were subjects of the king and had to obey his laws.
A person who owes loyalty and service to a feudal lord in return for protection and land.
Example
The knight was a vassal of the baron and had to fight for him in battles.
Key Differences: subject vs vassal
- 1Subject is a general term that describes a person who is under the authority or control of another.
- 2Vassal is a historical term that describes a person who owes loyalty and service to a feudal lord in return for protection and land.
Effective Usage of subject, vassal
- 1Historical Context: Use vassal to describe the feudal system in medieval Europe.
- 2Political Science: Use subject to describe the relationship between a citizen and a government.
- 3Creative Writing: Utilize these antonyms in narratives to create power dynamics and conflicts between characters.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Subject conveys a general subordinate position, while vassal refers to a historical feudal relationship. Use these words to describe power dynamics, historical contexts, and political science concepts, or to enrich creative writing by creating compelling characters and conflicts.