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Webster 1913 Edition

Vassal

Vas′sal

,
Noun.
[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
.]
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.
2.
A subject; a dependent; a servant; a bondman; a slave.
“The vassals of his anger.”
Milton.
Rear vassal
,
the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.

Vas′sal

,
Adj.
Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
The sun and every
vassal
star.
Keble.

Vas′sal

,
Verb.
T.
To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vassal

VAS'SAL

,
Noun.
1.
A feudatory; a tenant; one who holds land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him. A rear vassal is one who holds of a lord who is himself a vassal.
2.
A subject; a dependant.
3.
A servant.
4.
In common language, a bondman; a political slave. We will never be the vassals of a foreign prince.

VAS'SAL

,
Verb.
T.
To subject to control; to enslave.

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