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fief

The definition of a fief is something that someone has control over, particularly when a lord gives a person the ongoing use of land by a person and his heirs in return for that person giving allegiance to the lord.

(noun)

An example of a fief is a legal practice the Middle Ages where society was built on relationships and classes.
An example of a fief is a piece of land that is entrusted to someone for their use and the use of their heirs.

See fief in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

under feudalism, heritable land held from a lord in return for service

Origin: Fr: see fee

See fief in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun