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Fiefdom: meaning, definitions and examples

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fiefdom

 

[ หˆfiหf.dษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medieval, governance

A fiefdom refers to a sphere of control or influence over a certain area, typically in the context of feudalism. In historical terms, it is a land held under the feudal system, where a lord granted land to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and military service. The term implies a degree of absolute power where the lord exercises authority over the vassal's activities within the fief. Fiefdoms were common in medieval Europe, allowing for a structured hierarchy of power and land ownership. Today, the term can also represent any domain where someone has significant control or influence.

Synonyms

domain, lands, province, realm, territory

Examples of usage

  • He ruled his fiefdom with an iron fist.
  • The politician treated the city as his own fiefdom.
  • Fiefdoms were essential in maintaining feudal loyalty.
  • The concept of a fiefdom can be applied to modern corporate hierarchies.
  • The king granted a fiefdom to his most trusted knight.

Translations

Translations of the word "fiefdom" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น feudo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเคฟเคผเคซเคกเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Lehen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ feodalisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั„ะตะพะด

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fief

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฐๅœŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท fief

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ feudo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fevkalade

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ด‰ํ† 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅู‚ุทุงุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lรฉno

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lรฉno

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐๅœฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ fief

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fief

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั„ะตะพะด

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒ”แƒแƒ“แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ feod

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ feudo

Word origin

The word 'fiefdom' originates from the Middle Ages, specifically from the term 'fief', which denotes a piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal. The concept of fief is derived from the Old French 'fief', which itself has roots in the Germanic word 'fihu', meaning cattle or property. This form of land ownership made its appearance in the feudal system that dominated Europe during the 9th to the 15th centuries. In this hierarchical structure, land ownership signified power and control, with lords granting fiefs to vassals in exchange for service. As the system evolved, the term came to represent any domain of control or influence, transcending its medieval origins. Today, 'fiefdom' is often used metaphorically to describe any personal domain or area of authority, reflecting its enduring legacy in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,957, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.