n. [ F., fr. LL. vassallus, vassus; of Celtic origin; cf. W. & Corn. gwas a youth, page, servant, Arm. gwaz a man, a male. Cf. Valet, Varlet, Vavasor. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Feud. Law) The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who holds land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a bondman; a slave. “The vassals of his anger.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rear vassal, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sun and every vassal star. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. vassalage, F. vasselage, LL. vassallaticum. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The state of being a vassal, or feudatory. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Political servitude; dependence; subjection; slavery; as, the Greeks were held in vassalage by the Turks. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A territory held in vassalage. “The Countship of Foix, with six territorial vassalages.” Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Vassals, collectively; vassalry. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Valorous service, such as that performed by a vassal; valor; prowess; courage. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female vassal. [ R. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The body of vassals. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]