Where does “subvassal” come from?
subvassal (English) comes from English vassal, from Middle English vassal, from Old French vassal, from Medieval Latin vassallus, from Latin vassus, from Gaulish wassos, from Proto-Celtic wāstos, from Proto-Indo-European h₁weh₂- — to leave, abandon, give out.
subvassal (English): The vassal of a vassal
Definitions
- The vassal of a vassal
Ancestry of “subvassal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | vassal | The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who... |
| 2 | Middle English | vassal | A feudal retainer, who is obliged to render military service |
| 3 | Old French | vassal | vassal |
| 4 | Medieval Latin | vassallus | manservant, domestic, retainer |
| 5 | Latin | vassus | vassal of vassals; servant |
| 6 | Gaulish | wassos | young man, squire |
| 7 | Proto-Celtic | wāstos | empty |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁weh₂- | to leave, abandon, give out |