What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Cotter vs Serf - What's the difference?

cotter | serf |

As nouns the difference between cotter and serf

is that cotter is a pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together while serf is a partially free peasant of a low hereditary class, slavishly attached to the land owned by a feudal lord and required to perform labour, enjoying minimal legal or customary rights.

As a verb cotter

is to fasten with a cotter.

cotter

English

Etymology 1

Noun

(en noun)
  • (mechanical engineering) A pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together.
  • (informal) a cotter pin.
    • Usage notes
    The terms cotter' and "cotter pin" are sometimes used interchangeably, although they have different functions. Basically a '''cotter''' holds parts together and a "cotter pin" holds the ' cotter in its place. For a more detailed explanation see Wikipedia articles on (cotter) and (cotter pin).
    Related terms
    * cotter pin

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To fasten with a cotter.

    • Etymology 2

    Equivalent to .

    Alternative forms

    * cottar

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A peasant who performed labour in exchange for the right to live in a cottage.
    • Synonyms
    * (l) * (l)

    serf

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A partially free peasant of a low hereditary class, slavishly attached to the land owned by a feudal lord and required to perform labour, enjoying minimal legal or customary rights.
  • A similar agricultural labourer in 18th and 19th century Europe.
  • (strategy games) A worker unit.

    • Synonyms

    * (strategy games) peasant, peon, villager

    Derived terms

    * serfage * serfdom * serfhood * serfish * serfism

    Related terms

    * service * servile * servitor * servitude * servo

    See also

    * slave

    Anagrams

    * ----