Villein — Vil lein, n. (Feudal Law) See {Villain}, 1. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
villein — early 14c., spelling variant of VILLAIN (Cf. villain), referring to a feudal class of half free peasants … Etymology dictionary
villein — [vil′ən] n. [ME: see VILLAIN] any of a class of feudal serfs who by the 13th cent. had become freemen in their legal relations to all except their lord, to whom they remained subject as slaves … English World dictionary
Villein — The wealthiest class of peasant. They usually cultivate 20 40 Acres of land, often in isolated strips. A bondsman, a man bonded to the land that he worked. Villeins lived in villages, attached to a lord’s holdings, all but a slave. A lord who… … Medieval glossary
villein — villain, villein The two spellings are forms of a single word with two branches, originally meaning either ‘a low born rustic’ or ‘a serf in the feudal system’ and derived from the Latin word villa meaning ‘country house or farm’. The spelling… … Modern English usage
villein — Villain Vil lain, n. [OE. vilein, F. vilain, LL. villanus, from villa a village, L. villa a farm. See {Villa}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Feudal Law) One who holds lands by a base, or servile, tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest class … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
villein — noun Etymology: Middle English vilain, vilein more at villain Date: 14th century 1. a free common villager or village peasant of any of the feudal classes lower in rank than the thane 2. a free peasant of a feudal class higher in rank than a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
villein in gross — /vilan in grows/ In feudal law, a villein who was annexed to the person of the lord, and transferable by deed from one owner to another. 2 Bl.Comm. 93 … Black's law dictionary
villein regardant — /vilan ragardant/ In feudal law, a villein annexed to the manor of land; a serf … Black's law dictionary
villein socage — noun : a tenure of land held by a tenant villein owing by custom a duty to render to the feudal lord fixed and definite services of a base and servile nature * * * Medieval Hist. land held by a tenant who rendered to a lord specified duties of a… … Useful english dictionary