Where does “vassal” come from?
Vassal derives from Middle English vassal, from Old French vassal, from Medieval Latin vassallus, from Latin vassus, from Gaulish wassos, from Proto-Celtic wastos, from Proto-Indo-European upo-sth₂-o-s.
vassal (English): The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who...
Definitions
- The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who...
Ancestry of “vassal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | vassal | A feudal retainer, who is obliged to render military service |
| 2 | Old French | vassal | vassal |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | vassallus | manservant, domestic, retainer |
| 4 | Latin | vassus | vassal of vassals; servant |
| 5 | Gaulish | wassos | young man, squire |
| 6 | Proto-Celtic | wāstos | empty |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁weh₂- | to leave, abandon, give out |