feudalism — A social system in medieval Europe where people worked and fought for nobles in return for protection and land
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A social system in medieval Europe where people worked and fought for nobles in return for protection and land
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfjuːdəlɪzəm/
Example Sentences
- My boss runs the office like feudalism - we're all peasants serving the king!
- Feudalism was characterized by the exchange of land for military service.
- The rise of commerce gradually weakened feudalism in Western Europe.
feudalism
NOUN[/ˈfjuːdəlɪzəm/]
A social system in medieval Europe where people worked and fought for nobles in return for protection and land
A social system in medieval Europe where people worked and fought for nobles in return for protection and land
From feudalism to capitalism, idealism drifts away
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Feudalism derives from the Latin term 'feudum' (fief or fee), which referred to land held in exchange for loyalty and service during the Middle Ages. The word evolved to describe the entire socio-political system based on the exchange of land for vassalic obligation that characterized medieval European societies.
Breakdown
feudum (fief, land) + -al (adjective suffix) + -ism (system, ideology), literally meaning 'the system based on fiefs or feudal holdings'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss runs the office like feudalism - we're all peasants serving the king!”
“Feudalism was characterized by the exchange of land for military service.”
“The rise of commerce gradually weakened feudalism in Western Europe.”
“Some argue that modern corporate hierarchies resemble feudalism.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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