Serf: meaning, definitions and examples

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serf

[ sɜːrf ]

^{Context #1}

medieval

A serf was a peasant who was bound to the land and owned by the lord of the manor. Serfs were not free to leave the land or marry without the lord's permission.

Synonyms

bondman, peasant, vassal

Examples of usage

Serfs worked the fields for their lord in exchange for protection and a small plot of land.
Serfs were at the bottom of the feudal system, with limited rights and freedoms.

^{Context #2}

old-fashioned

To serf is to work for someone without fair compensation, often in a servile or oppressed manner.

Synonyms

labor, slave, toil

Examples of usage

She felt like she was serfing away her life in a dead-end job.
The workers were serfed by their greedy employer.

Translations

Translations of the word "serf" in other languages:

🇵🇹 servo

🇮🇳 ग़ुलाम

🇩🇪 Leibeigener

🇮🇩 hamba

🇺🇦 кріпак

🇵🇱 niewolnik

🇯🇵 農奴 (のうど)

🇫🇷 serf

🇪🇸 siervo

🇹🇷 serf

🇰🇷 농노 (농사하는 노예)

🇸🇦 قن

🇨🇿 nevolník

🇸🇰 nevoľník

🇨🇳 农奴 (nóngnú)

🇸🇮 tlačan

🇮🇸 þræll

🇰🇿 құл

🇬🇪 მონღოლი

🇦🇿 kölə

🇲🇽 siervo

Word origin

The term 'serf' originated from the Latin word 'servus', which means slave or servant. During the medieval period, serfdom was a common form of labor in feudal societies, where serfs worked the land in exchange for protection from their lords. Serfdom eventually declined with the rise of the modern era and the abolishment of feudal systems.