feudal

[fyood-l] /ˈfyud l/

adjective

of, pertaining to, or like the feudal system, or its political, military, social, and economic structure.

of or pertaining to the Middle Ages.

of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a fief or fee:

a feudal estate.

of or pertaining to the holding of land in a fief or fee.

Origin

1605-15; < Medieval Latin feudālis. See feud², -al¹

Related forms

feudally, adverb

antifeudal, adjective

nonfeudal, adjective

nonfeudally, adverb

prefeudal, adjective

quasi-feudal, adjective

quasi-feudally, adverb

unfeudal, adjective

unfeudally, adverb

Examples from the web for feudal

And it happens to continue to help undermine the feudal underpinning in a really positive way.
As the feudal system emerged, the castle evolved into the center of governance for a village and surrounding farmlands.
But the company would be better off with less feudal management.
It basically describes the feudal system, or variations on political systems founded upon clientage.
Her security aide recounted how she cooked for them, and this is extraordinary in our feudal society, and remembered them.
But by their lights they have brought modernity and a better life to a feudal society groaning under the rule of lamas.
His army terrorizes this feudal pioneer society, extorting tribute and forcibly recruiting soldiers.
All lands within the state are declared to be allodial, and feudal tenures are prohibited.
It is concerned with many practical matters and specific grievances relevant to the feudal system under which they lived.
All lands within the state are allodial and feudal tenures of every description with all their incidents are prohibited.

British Dictionary definitions for feudal

feudal¹

/ˈfjuːdəl/

adjective

of, resembling, relating to, or characteristic of feudalism or its institutions

of, characteristic of, or relating to a fief Compare allodial

(derogatory) old-fashioned, reactionary, etc

Word Origin

C17: from Medieval Latin feudālis, from feudumfeud²

feudal²

/ˈfjuːdəl/

adjective

of or relating to a feud or quarrel

Word Origin and History for feudal

adj.

1610s, from Medieval Latin feudalis, from feudum "feudal estate," of Germanic origin (cf. Gothic faihu "property," Old High German fihu "cattle;" see fee). Related to Middle English feodary "one who holds lands of an overlord in exchange for service" (late 14c.).