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Villein: meaning, definitions and examples

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villein

 

[ ˈvɪl.ɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical context

A villein was a dependent agricultural laborer in the feudal system, typically bound to a particular lord's land and required to provide labor and service in return for protection and the right to cultivate certain fields. Unlike a serf, a villein had some legal rights and could occasionally own property, though their rights were limited when compared to free peasants. The status of a villein was hereditary, meaning that their children were also born into the same social class. Villeins played a crucial role in the medieval economy, forming the backbone of agricultural production in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Synonyms

laborer, peasant, serf.

Examples of usage

  • The villeins worked hard on the lord's estate.
  • Many villeins dreamed of buying their freedom.
  • The rights of villeins were sometimes contested.
  • Historically, villeins were tied to the land.

Translations

Translations of the word "villein" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vilão

🇮🇳 ग्राम मजदूर

🇩🇪 Leibeigener

🇮🇩 hamba

🇺🇦 кріпак

🇵🇱 chłop

🇯🇵 農奴

🇫🇷 vassal

🇪🇸 siervo

🇹🇷 işçi

🇰🇷 농노

🇸🇦 عبد

🇨🇿 poddaný

🇸🇰 poddaný

🇨🇳 农奴

🇸🇮 kmet

🇮🇸 þræll

🇰🇿 құл

🇬🇪 გლეხი

🇦🇿 köl

🇲🇽 siervo

Etymology

The word 'villein' comes from the Old French term 'vilain', which meant ‘farmhand’ or ‘peasant’. This term, in turn, is derived from the Latin word 'vilis', meaning 'cheap' or 'base'. The concept of a villein became prominent in the feudal system that developed in medieval Europe, particularly in England, where it described a class of unfree peasants who were tied to the land they farmed. The status was distinct from that of free tenants and serfs. While villeins had certain rights, they were bounded by custom and law to their lord's estate and required to pay various dues and perform labor, typically on the lord's demesne. Over time, the term began to lose its legal significance as social structures evolved, paving the way for the emergence of a more market-oriented society.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,713 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.