fief Definition
a feudal estate belonging to a vassal or feudal tenant, typically granted by a lord in return for loyalty and service.
Using fief: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "fief" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The king granted him a fief in recognition of his services.
Example
The fief was passed down from father to son for generations.
Example
The vassal pledged loyalty to the lord in exchange for the fief.
fief Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for fief
- feudal estate
- feudal land
- feudal holding
- feudal domain
Phrases with fief
an area or sphere of operation controlled by a particular person or group
Example
The company CEO's fiefdom extended to all aspects of the business.
Example
The fief holder was responsible for providing military service to the lord.
Example
The fief rent was due at the end of each year.
Origins of fief
from Old French 'fief', from Medieval Latin 'fevum', from Frankish 'fehu' meaning 'cattle, property'
Summary: fief in Brief
'Fief' [fiːf] refers to a feudal estate granted by a lord to a vassal or feudal tenant in return for loyalty and service. It is a type of feudal landholding that was common in medieval Europe. The term is often used in phrases like 'fiefdom,' which denotes an area controlled by a particular person or group, and 'fief holder,' which refers to a person who holds a fief from a feudal lord.
