Where does “feudal” come from?
Feudal derives from Old French feodal, from Medieval Latin feodalis, from Latin feudum or feodum, from Frankish fehu, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European péḱu meaning cattle or livestock.
feudal (English): Of, or relating to feudalism
Definitions
- Of, or relating to feudalism
Ancestry of “feudal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old French | feodal | feudal |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | feodalis | — |
| 3 | Latin | feodum | Alternative form of feudum |
| 4 | Frankish | fehu | livestock, cattle; cattle, owndom, property, fee;... |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | fehu | livestock, cattle; property; name of the F-rune |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | péḱu | livestock |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | peḱ- | to pluck; livestock; wealth |