Dictionary

serf

noun \ˈsərf\

: a person in the past who belonged to a low social class and who lived and worked on land owned by another person

Full Definition of SERF

: a member of a servile feudal class bound to the land and subject to the will of its owner

— serf·age \ˈsər-fij\ noun

— serf·dom \ˈsərf-dəm, -təm\ noun

See serf defined for English-language learners

See serf defined for kids

French, from Old French, from Latin servus slave

First Known Use: 1611

SERF Defined for Kids

noun \ˈsərf\

: a servant or laborer of olden times who was treated as part of the land worked on and went along with the land if it was sold

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