ceorl

ceorl (chorl). Hist. A Saxon freeman who either possessed no landed property or held land of a thane by paying rent or providing services. • After the Norman Conquest, ceorls were reduced to the status of unfree villeins. Under Norman rule, the variant form of the word, churl, became associated with a base peasant, and soon acquired the connotation of a surly, coarse person (hence the modern meaning). — Also termed churl; cirliscus.

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词条贡献者

双语律师Jason，国内知名法学院国际贸易专业，擅长翻译各类与出口管制、经济制裁及海关相关的法律文件。