Etymology
Advertisement

feudalism (n.)

a coinage of historians, attested from 1773; see feudal + -ism. Feudal system attested from 1736.

Entries linking to feudalism

feudal (adj.)
1610s, "pertaining to feuds," estates of land granted by a superior on condition of services to be rendered to the grantor, from Medieval Latin feudalis, from feudum "feudal estate, land granted to be held as a benefice," of Germanic origin (cognates: Gothic faihu "property," Old High German fihu "cattle;" see fee). Related to Middle English feodary "one who holds lands of an overlord in exchange for service" (late 14c.). Not related to feud.
-ism 
word-forming element making nouns implying a practice, system, doctrine, etc., from French -isme or directly from Latin -isma, -ismus (source also of Italian, Spanish -ismo, Dutch, German -ismus), from Greek -ismos, noun ending signifying the practice or teaching of a thing, from the stem of verbs in -izein, a verb-forming element denoting the doing of the noun or adjective to which it is attached. For distinction of use, see -ity. The related Greek suffix -isma(t)- affects some forms.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of feudalism

feudalism (n.)
the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war;
Synonyms: feudal system
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near feudalism

fettuccini

fetus

feu de joie

feud

feudal

feudalism

feuillemorte

feuilleton

fever

feverfew

feverish

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper