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villein

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villein

Main Entry:: vil·lein
Pronunciation:: \ˈvi-lən, ˈvi-ˌlān, vi-ˈlān\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English vilain, vilein — more at villain
Date:: 14th century

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

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