Seigneur: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฐ
seigneur
[ seษชษกหnษr ]
French history
A seigneur was historically a lord or a nobleman in France who was granted land and authority over a territory by the king. The term is often associated with the feudal system, where a seigneur had various rights, including the ability to collect taxes and govern the peasants living on their land.
Synonyms
Landowner, baron, lord, nobleman.
Examples of usage
- The seigneur ruled over the valley with great authority.
- In medieval times, the seigneur was responsible for the administration of his domain.
- The seigneur's castle stood proudly atop the hill.
- Every year, the peasants would gather to pay their dues to the seigneur.
Translations
Translations of the word "seigneur" in other languages:
๐ต๐น senhor
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคตเคพเคฎเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Herr
๐ฎ๐ฉ tuan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐะฝะพะฒะต
๐ต๐ฑ pan
๐ฏ๐ต ้ ไธป
๐ซ๐ท seigneur
๐ช๐ธ seรฑor
๐น๐ท efendi
๐ฐ๐ท ์ธ๋จ๋ฅด
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณูุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ pรกn
๐ธ๐ฐ pรกn
๐จ๐ณ ้ขไธป
๐ธ๐ฎ gospodar
๐ฎ๐ธ herra
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะธะตัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sir
๐ฒ๐ฝ seรฑor
Etymology
The word 'seigneur' originates from the Old French term 'seignior', which itself comes from the Latin 'senior', meaning 'older' or 'elder'. This Latin root reflects the hierarchical nature of states and communities in the Middle Ages, where seniority often indicated power and authority. As feudalism developed in France, the term became tightly linked to the privileges and responsibilities of landholding nobles. The seigneur had significant influence, often controlling the fates of the peasants and the land they worked on, thus becoming integral to the social and economic fabric of medieval society. Over time, the title of seigneur became less common as the feudal system waned, but it still evokes the imagery of the aristocratic class and the structure of society during that era.