Fief Meaning and Definition
Fief
Pronunciation
/fiːf/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A unit of land granted to a vassal by a lord in exchange for loyalty and military service, forming a feudal relationship.
Examples
- The lord granted a fief to his loyal vassal.
- The fief was passed down through generations of the same family.
Synonyms
- Manor
- Domain
Antonyms
- Ownership
- Independence
Additional Information
Fiefs were a key aspect of the feudal system, where lords granted lands to vassals in exchange for their loyalty and military service. The fief was typically held by the vassal in exchange for homage and fealty to the lord. Over time, the fief system evolved to include other forms of property and land ownership.
The feudal system and the concept of fiefs played a significant role in shaping European history and politics during the Middle Ages.
Etymology
The word “fief” originated from the Old French word “feu”, meaning “fee” or “reward”, and was later adopted into Middle English as “fief”.
Usage Notes
Fief is typically used in historical or academic contexts to describe the feudal system and the relationships between lords and vassals.
Cultural References
The concept of fiefs has appeared in various historical fiction novels, such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, and in films like “Braveheart” (1995) and “A Knight’s Tale” (2001).
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Feudal system” is an idiomatic expression that refers to the social and political hierarchy of the Middle Ages.
Related Words or Phrases
- Vassal
- Lord
- Fealty
- Homage
Collocations
- Fief holder
- Feudal lord
- Feudal system
Frequency of Use
Fief is a relatively rare word in modern language, but it is often used in historical and academic contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Fee
- Fee
- Feudal