Vassal State

Pronunciation: /ˈvæsəl steɪt/

Definitions of vassal state

noun a state that is under the control of a more powerful state

Example Sentences

A1 A vassal state is a country that is controlled by a more powerful nation.

A2 The vassal state paid tribute to the ruling kingdom in exchange for protection.

B1 During the Middle Ages, many European countries were vassal states of larger empires.

B2 The vassal state had to provide military support to its overlord in times of war.

C1 The vassal state had limited autonomy in its governance but ultimately answered to the dominant kingdom.

C2 The vassal state's economy was heavily influenced by the trade policies of its suzerain.

Examples of vassal state in a Sentence

formal The small kingdom became a vassal state under the rule of the larger empire.

informal The little kingdom had to do whatever the big empire said, like a vassal state.

slang The tiny kingdom was basically the big empire's puppet, just a vassal state.

figurative In the world of business, sometimes a smaller company can feel like a vassal state to a larger corporation.

Grammatical Forms of vassal state

• plural: vassal states
• comparative: more vassal state
• superlative: most vassal state
• present tense: vassal state
• future tense: will be vassal state
• perfect tense: has been vassal state
• continuous tense: is being vassal state
• singular: vassal state
• positive degree: vassal state
• infinitive: to be vassal state
• gerund: being vassal state
• participle: vassal state

Origin and Evolution of vassal state

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The term 'vassal state' originated in medieval Europe during the feudal system, where a vassal was a subordinate to a lord or monarch.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the concept of vassal states expanded beyond medieval Europe to refer to any state that is subordinate to a more powerful state, often through a treaty or agreement.