villein

noun

vil·​lein ˈvi-lən How to pronounce villein (audio)
ˈvi-ˌlān,
vi-ˈlān How to pronounce villein (audio)
plural villeins
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 enslaved to a feudal lord but free in legal relations with respect to all others

Examples of villein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thus, villeins were blamed for the evils disrupting an otherwise peaceful world. —Marisha Pessl, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vilain, vilein — more at villain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of villein was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near villein

villeggiatura

villein

villeinhold

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Villein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/villein. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

villein

noun
vil·​lein ˈvil-ən How to pronounce villein (audio) ˈvil-ˌān How to pronounce villein (audio)
vil-ˈān
1
: a free peasant
2
: an unfree peasant enslaved to a feudal lord

More from Merriam-Webster on villein

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about villein

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