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villein

noun
vil·​lein | \ ˈvi-lən How to pronounce villein (audio) , ˈvi-ˌlān, vi-ˈlān How to pronounce villein (audio) \

Definition of villein

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 cotter
3 : an unfree peasant standing as the slave of a feudal lord but free in legal relations with respect to all others

Examples of villein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Thus, villeins were blamed for the evils disrupting an otherwise peaceful world. — Marisha Pessl, New York Times, "Our Villains, Ourselves: A Thriller Roundup," 25 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of villein

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for villein

Middle English vilain, vilein — more at villain

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