noun Download 🔗Share A social system based on personal ownership of resources and personal fealty between a suzerain (lord) and a vassal (subject). Defining characteristics are direct ownership of resources, personal loyalty, and a hierarchical social structure reinforced by religion. Examples : "In medieval Europe, feudalism was a system where a king owned the land, and nobles swore loyalty to him in exchange for a portion of it. " politics history government society economy state organization law royal Chat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading