feudalism
feudalism n. 封建主义；封建制度 封建原则和惯例的集合体。从9世纪至15世纪统治欧洲各主要国家的社会、政治、经济制度的总称。封建制的基础是封臣〔vassal〕与领主〔lord〕之间的依附关系：封臣对领主效忠并为其服役，领主则为封臣提供土地和保护。(=feudal system)
FEUDALISM
feudalism
feudalism (fyood-[schwa]l-iz-[schwa]m). 1. A landholding system, particularly applying to medieval Europe, in which all are bound by their status in a hierarchy of reciprocal obligations of service and defense. • The lord was obligated to give the vassal (1) some land, (2) protection, and (3) justice. The lord guaranteed the quiet occupation of the land