vassal Definition

vassal
noun

1. feudalism.
Someone acting as a servant to, and fighting on behalf of, a medieval lord in return for land or protection or both.
Thesaurus: servant, serf, liege, subject.
2. A person or nation dependent on or subservient to another.
3. Scots law.
Someone holding land from a superior in return for a payment of feu-duty.

adj

1. In the relationship or state of a vassal; subordinate.

Example: vassal state

Etymology: 13c: from Latin vassus servant.