How Do You Spell SERFDOM?

Pronunciation: [sˈɜːfdəm] (IPA)

The word "serfdom" is spelled with the consonants s-r-f-d-m. It is pronounced as /ˈsɜː(r)fdəm/ in IPA phonetic transcription. Serfdom refers to the feudal system where peasants were tied to the land they worked on and were subject to the ownership and control of lords. The word comes from the medieval Latin word "servus" meaning slave. Although this system was abolished in many parts of the world in the 19th century, it remains a significant element of historical and cultural discourse.

SERFDOM Meaning and Definition

  1. Serfdom is a social and economic institution that prevailed in various societies throughout history, typically during medieval times. It refers to a system where individuals, known as serfs or peasants, were bound to the land they worked on and were considered the property of the lord or feudal lord who owned the land.

    In serfdom, serfs were compelled to provide labor services to the feudal lord, working the land and carrying out various tasks, such as farming, herding livestock, or other forms of manual labor. In return, the serfs were granted protection and allowed to reside on a specific portion of the lord's land.

    Serfdom was characterized by limited personal freedom and the absence of social mobility. Serfs were tied to the land and were not allowed to leave without permission from the feudal lord. They resided in small communities known as manors, which were self-sustaining agricultural units.

    The feudal lord, as the landowner and administrator, held substantial power over the serfs' lives. They were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and providing a certain level of protection to the serfs. The serfs, on the other hand, were obligated to provide labor, pay rents and fees, and surrender a portion of their agricultural produce to the feudal lord.

    Serfdom gradually declined with the emergence of other economic systems, such as capitalism, and movements towards greater individual freedoms. However, it played a significant role in shaping the social structure and economic relationships of societies during the Middle Ages.

  2. State or condition of a serf.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SERFDOM

Etymology of SERFDOM

The word "serfdom" originates from the Old French term "serfdom", which was derived from the Latin word "servus", meaning "slave" or "servant". In medieval Europe, serfdom referred to a system of unfree labor where peasants worked on a lord's estate in exchange for protection and the right to cultivate a plot of land for themselves. The term "serfdom" came into English usage around the 15th century and has been used to describe similar systems of serfdom across different regions and periods of history.

Similar spelling word for SERFDOM

Plural form of SERFDOM is SERFDOMS