Feudal system

n. political and social system of medieval Europe in which vassals were protected by lords whom they served in times of war

Feudalism refers to a general set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility of Europe during the Middle Ages, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs. Defining feudalism requires many qualifiers because there is no broadly accepted agreement of what it means. For one to begin to understand feudalism, a working definition is desirable. The definition described in this article is the most senior and classic definition and is still subscribed to by many historians.
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Noun
1. the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th C; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war
(synonym) feudalism
(hypernym) social organization, social organisation, social structure, social system, structure

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A social structure that existed throughout much of Europe between 800 and 1400 and that revolved around a multi-level hierarchy between lords (who held land granted under tenure from the king), and their tenants (also called 'vassals'). - (read more on Feudal system)