antifeudal
|an-ti-feu-dal|
/ˌæn.tiˈfjuː.dəl/
against feudalism
Etymology
'antifeudal' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'feudal', where 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meant 'against' and 'feudal' derived from Medieval Latin elements referring to 'fief' or 'feud'.
'feudal' developed from Medieval Latin 'feodalis' (from 'feodum' meaning 'fief') into Old French 'feudal/feodal' and then into Middle English 'feudal'; the English formation 'antifeudal' combines the productive prefix 'anti-' (against) with 'feudal' to express opposition to feudalism.
Initially, 'feudal' referred specifically to matters of a 'fief' or feudal tenure; over time it came to denote the broader socio-political system of feudalism, and 'antifeudal' therefore evolved to mean 'against the institutions or principles of feudalism'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or group that opposes feudalism or supports anti-feudal reforms; (also) the stance or movement opposing feudal structures.
Many antifeudals in the region organized protests demanding the end of feudal tenures.
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Adjective 1
opposed to feudalism or the social, political, and economic institutions associated with feudal systems; relating to movements or ideas that seek to abolish feudal privileges.
The party adopted an antifeudal platform that called for land reform and the abolition of feudal privileges.
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Last updated: 2025/09/01 04:00