vassal

noun
UK: /ˈvæsəl/
US: /ˈvæsəl/

  1. A person or state that has promised to give support to a more powerful person or state.

    1. The small kingdom became a vassal of the empire.
    2. The duke was a vassal owing allegiance to the king, bound by oath and duty.

  2. A person who is under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty.

    1. The vassal swore loyalty to his lord.
    2. Each vassal was responsible for providing soldiers to the lord's army.

Synonyms

liege man subordinate henchman dependent subject
vassal transitive-verb

  1. To make someone a vassal; to put into the position of a vassal.

    1. The king vassalized the conquered territory.
    2. The empire sought to vassalize smaller nations, bringing them under its control.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "vassal" in English means: A person or state that has promised to give support to a more powerful person or state., A person who is under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty..

The phonetic transcription of "vassal" is /ˈvæsəl/ in British English and /ˈvæsəl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "vassal": liege man, subordinate, henchman, dependent, subject.

Example usage of "vassal": "The small kingdom became a vassal of the empire.". More examples on the page.