/'væsl; `væsl/
n
1 (in the Middle Ages) man promising to fight for and be loyal to a king or lord in return for the right to hold land （中世纪的）封臣, 家臣（为国君或领主效忠可受封土地者）.
2 (fig 比喻) person or nation dependent on another 附庸; 下属; 属国
*[attrib 作定语] vassal states, kingdoms, etc 附庸国、王国等.

n[C]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin:Medieval Latin vassallus, from vassus 'servant']
a man in the Middle Ages who was given land to live on by a lord in return for promising to work or fight for him
formal a country that is controlled by another country
　a vassal state