Vassal

vas′al, n. one who holds land from, and renders homage to, a superior: a dependant, retainer: a bondman, slave: ( Shak. ) a low wretch.— adj. ( Shak. ) servile.— v.t. to enslave, to dominate.— ns. Va ′alāge , state of being a va al: dependence: subjection: a fee, fief: ( Shak. ) va als collectively; Va ′ale ( Spens. ), a female va al; Va ′alry , va als collectively. [Fr.,—Low L. va al is —Bret. gwaz , a servant; cf. W. gwas , a youth.]