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Entry 4 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Vassal

/văs'-əl/ · Vas·sal · IPA /ˈvæsəl/
01 n. 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.
  1. 1.
    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.(Feud. Law)
  2. 2.
    A subject; a dependent; a servant; a bondman; a slave.
Phrases & compounds
Rear vassal — the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.
02 a. Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
  1. 1.
    Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
    “The sun and every vassal star.” — Keble.
03 v. t. To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
  1. 1.
    To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.[Obs.]