serf

A member of the lowest feudal class, legally bound to a landed estate and required to perform labor for the lord of that estate in exchange for a personal allotment of land.

An agricultural laborer under various similar systems, especially in Russia and eastern Europe in the 1700s and 1800s.

A person in bondage or servitude.

A villein; one of those who in the middle ages were in capable of holding property, were attached to the land and transferred with it, and were subject to feudal services of the most menial description; in early English history, one who was not free, but by reason of being allowed to have an interest in the cultivation of the soil, and a portion of time to labor for himself, had attained a status superior to that of a slave.

A laborer rendering forced service on an estate under seigniorial prescription, as formerly in Russia.

Figuratively, an oppressed person; a menial.

Synonyms Serf, Slave. The serf is, in strictness, attached to the soil, and goes with it in all sales or leases. The slave is absolutely the property of his master, and may be sold, given away, etc., like any other piece of personal property. See definitions of peon and coolie. See also servitude.

A servant or slave employed in husbandry, and in some countries attached to the soil and transferred with it, as formerly in Russia.

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.