vassalage

UK: /ˈvæsəlɪdʒ/ US: /ˈvæsəlɪdʒ/ ,(vas′ə lij)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vas•sal•age  (vas′ə lij), n. 

1. World History the state or condition of a vassal.
2. World History homage or service required of a vassal.
3. World History a territory held by a vassal.
4. World History vassals collectively.
5. World History dependence, subjection, or servitude.

• Middle French; see vassal, -age
• Middle English 1275–1325

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vassalage / ˈvæsəlɪdʒ/ noun

1. (esp in feudal society) the condition of being a vassal or the obligations to which a vassal was liable
2. the relationship between a vassal and his lord
3. subjection, servitude, or dependence in general
4. vassals collectively

Also: vassalry

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vas•sal /ˈvæsəl/   n. 

[countable]
1. World History (in the feudal system of the Middle Ages) a person who is given permission to use land in return for promising loyalty and usually military service to a lord or other superior.
2. a person holding some similar relation to a superior; a subordinate.

adj. [before a noun]

3. World History having the status of a vassal:
   the superpowers and their vassal states.

vas•sal•age /ˈvæsəlɪdʒ/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vas•sal  (vas′əl), n. 

1. World History (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior;
   feudal tenant.
2. a person holding some similar relation to a superior;
   a subject, subordinate, follower, or retainer.
3. a servant or slave.

adj. 

4. World History of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a vassal.
5. World History having the status or position of a vassal.

• Celtic; compare Welsh gwas young man, Irish foss servant) + -allus noun, nominal suffix
• Medieval Latin vassallus, equivalent. to vass(us) servant (
• Middle French
• Middle English 1300–50

vas′sal•less, adj.