feu

n. [ From Feu. ] (Scots Law) One who holds a feu. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. feide, AS. f&aemacr_;hð, fr. fāh hostile; akin to OHG. fēhida, G. fehde, Sw. fejd, D. feide; prob. akin to E. fiend. See Foe. ] 1. A combination of kindred to avenge injuries or affronts, done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender and all his race. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A contention or quarrel; especially, an inveterate strife between families, clans, or parties; deadly hatred; contention satisfied only by bloodshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mutual feuds and battles betwixt their several tribes and kindreds. Purchas.

Syn. -- Affray; fray; broil; contest; dispute; strife. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. feudum, feodum prob. of same origin as E. fief. See Fief, Fee. ] (Law) A stipendiary estate in land, held of a superior, by service; the right which a vassal or tenant had to the lands or other immovable thing of his lord, to use the same and take the profits thereof hereditarily, rendering to his superior such duties and services as belong to military tenure, etc., the property of the soil always remaining in the lord or superior; a fief; a fee. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. féodal, or LL. feudalis. ] 1. Of or pertaining to feuds, fiefs, or fees; as, feudal rights or services; feudal tenures. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Consisting of, or founded upon, feuds or fiefs; embracing tenures by military services; as, the feudal system. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. féodalisme. ] The feudal system; a system by which the holding of estates in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render military service to the king or feudal superior; feudal principles and usages. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An upholder of feudalism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. féodalité. ] The state or quality of being feudal; feudal form or constitution. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of reducing to feudal tenure. [ 1913 Webster ]