Hypertext Webster Gateway: "vassal"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Vassal \Vas"sal\, n. [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}.]
1. (Feud. Law) 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. --Burrill.
2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave. ``The vassals
of his anger.'' --Milton.
{Rear vassal}, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Vassal \Vas"sal\, a.
Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
The sun and every vassal star. --Keble.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Vassal \Vas"sal\, v. t.
To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
[Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
vassal
n : a person holding a fief [syn: {liege}, {liegeman}, {liege
subject}, {feudatory}]
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