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Serfdom: meaning, definitions and examples

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serfdom

 

[ ˈsɜːrfdəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feudal system

Serfdom is the condition of being a serf, where a person is bound to work on a noble's land and is subject to the will of the noble. Serfs were often considered the property of the noble and had limited rights or freedoms.

Synonyms

bondage, enslavement, peonage

Examples of usage

  • Serfdom was a common practice in medieval Europe.
  • The abolition of serfdom in Russia in 1861 marked a significant social change.

Translations

Translations of the word "serfdom" in other languages:

🇵🇹 servidão

🇮🇳 दासता

🇩🇪 Leibeigenschaft

🇮🇩 perbudakan

🇺🇦 кріпацтво

🇵🇱 pańszczyzna

🇯🇵 農奴制 (のうどせい)

🇫🇷 servage

🇪🇸 servidumbre

🇹🇷 serflik

🇰🇷 농노제 (농노 제도)

🇸🇦 القنانة

🇨🇿 nevolnictví

🇸🇰 nevoľníctvo

🇨🇳 农奴制 (nóngnú zhì)

🇸🇮 tlaka

🇮🇸 þrælahald

🇰🇿 крепостное право

🇬🇪 გლეხობა

🇦🇿 kəndli təbəqəsi

🇲🇽 servidumbre

Etymology

The origins of serfdom can be traced back to the early Middle Ages in Europe, where the collapse of the Roman Empire led to a breakdown of centralized authority. As a result, landowners began to offer protection and security to peasants in exchange for labor and loyalty. Over time, this system evolved into serfdom, where peasants were tied to the land and had little control over their own lives. Serfdom persisted in various forms in Europe until the 19th century, when it was gradually abolished in many countries.

See also: serf, serfs.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,279, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.