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vassal

1. The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who holds land of superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.

2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave. The vassals of his anger. rear vassal, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.

Origin: F, fr. LL. Vassallus, vassus; of Celtic origin; cf. W. & Corn. Gwas a youth, page, servant, Arm. Gwaz a man, a male. Cf. Valet, Varlet, Vavasor.