feu·dal·ism (fy d l- z  m)n. 1. A political and economic system of Europe from the 9th to about the 15th century, based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and forfeiture. 2. A political, economic, or social order resembling this medieval system. feu dal·ist n.feu dal·istic adj. |
feudalism [ˈfjuːdəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. (Historical Terms) Also called feudal system the legal and social system that evolved in W Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries, in which vassals were protected and maintained by their lords, usually through the granting of fiefs, and were required to serve under them in war See also vassalage, fief
2. (Historical Terms) any social system or society, such as medieval Japan or Ptolemaic Egypt, that resembles medieval European feudalism
feudalist n
feudalistic adj
feudalism
a European system flourishing between 800-1400 based upon fixed relations of lord to vassal and all lands held in fee (as from the king), and requiring of vassal-tenants homage and service. Also feudality. — feudal, feudalistic, adj.
See also: Governmenta European system flourishing between 800-1400 based upon fixed relations of lord to vassal and all lands held in fee (as from the king), and requiring of vassal-tenants homage and service. Also feudality. — feudal, feudalistic, adj.
See also: Land
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  feudalism - the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in warsocial organisation, social organization, social structure, social system, structure - the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships; "the social organization of England and America is very different"; "sociologists have studied the changing structure of the family" |
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