vasal Definition
- 1a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system
- 2a subject or subordinate
Using vasal: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "vasal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The king's vassals were required to provide military service.
Example
He was a vassal of the Duke of Normandy.
Example
The vassals were granted land in exchange for their loyalty and service.
vasal Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with vasal
a territory that is nominally independent but is actually under the control of a more powerful state
Example
Korea was a vassal state of China for many centuries.
Example
The vassal took the vassal oath and swore to serve his lord faithfully.
a knight who has sworn fealty to a lord or monarch and is therefore bound to provide military service
Example
The vassal knight rode into battle alongside his lord.
Origins of vasal
from Old French 'vassal', from Medieval Latin 'vassallus', meaning 'servant, domestic, slave'
Summary: vasal in Brief
A 'vassal' [vey-suhl] is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system. It refers to a subject or subordinate, and is often used in phrases like 'vassal state' and 'vassal oath.' Vassals were granted land in exchange for their loyalty and service, and were required to provide military service.
