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Protectorate vs Vassal - What's the difference?

protectorate | vassal |

As nouns the difference between protectorate and vassal

is that protectorate is government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell while vassal is the grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who keeps land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him, normally a lord of a manor; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.

As an adjective vassal is

resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.

As a verb vassal is

to treat as a vassal or to reduce to the position of a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.

protectorate

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.
  • The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.
  • An autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity.

    • References

    *

    vassal

    English

    Alternative forms

    * vasal (rare)

    Noun

    (wikipedia vassal) (en noun)
  • (historical) The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who keeps land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him, normally a lord of a manor; a feudatory; a feudal tenant.
  • A subject; a dependant; a servant; a slave.
  • * Milton
    • The vassals of his anger.

    Related terms

    * valet * varlet

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.

    • Verb

    (vassall)
  • To treat as a vassal or to reduce to the position of a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
  • To subordinate to someone or something.

    • Anagrams

    * * ----