fief
1
9.9
- noun
- /fiːf/
:
feudo
- There is no reason for this fief to be heavily guarded.
- royal fiefs
- income of the fief
Examples
-
Under this arrangement, the fief holder was paid a salary and made fully accountable to the crown for the income of the fief.
Academic text (2000) -
The Emperor has given me Arrakis as my fief to rule and protect.
-
In these cases, the income of the fiefs went to the holder.
Academic text (2000) -
Both systems depended on the granting of fiefs of property.
Academic text (2011) -
In the late Middle Ages, bishops and the high nobility were the beneficiaries of the most important fiefs.
Academic text (2000) -
Throughout Scandinavia, royal administration was decentralized and based on fiefs of varying sizes and compositions.
Academic text (2000) -
The Axelsons intermarried with the Swedish high nobility and secured important fiefs there and seats in the Swedish noble council.
Academic text (2000) -
The lord granted him a large fief in exchange for his loyalty and military service.
-
Many knights were given a fief to manage as they served under their lord.
-
Under the feudal system, each noble received a fief which they ruled and protected.
Synonyms
9
9.6
An area controlled by one person or group, like a private kingdom
A piece of land a lord gives to someone for their service
A part of a place or group that one person controls like their own property
Compounds
- Literature
A part of a place or group that one person controls like their own property
How Large
Surface Forms
Etymology
Fief comes from the old Latin word feodum, meaning 'property' or land given in return for service. So a fief was land a lord gave to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and work, and it is related to the everyday word fee, which helps you remember the idea of giving something for service.