large fief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large fief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in historical or literary contexts to refer to a significant estate or landholding, typically in a feudal system. Example: "The nobleman ruled over a large fief, commanding respect and loyalty from his vassals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Afghan Taliban leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who controls a large fief in North Waziristan, also recently indicated support for Al Qaeda's agenda when answering questions in an open forum on a jihadist Web site, praising jihadi fighters in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If city-dwellers plump for elected mayors, they will have large fiefs.

The Economist

In Sicily itself, where the ban on large fiefs had left little opposition to Roger's rule, the new kingdom steadily grew more prosperous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Renesas Electronics, a Japanese company, holds the largest fief in this fragmented terrain.

The Economist

To show his appreciation, Andriamasinavalona declared that he would make Andriasisa into a great fief, and gave Andriandrivotra a large piece of land to the west of the territory.

Wikipedia

This was standardized in England at £100 for a barony or honour (large landed fief) and 100 shillings for a knight's fee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To mollify them, Ieyasu allowed Hideyori to maintain his father's castle at Ōsaka and to govern the large surrounding fief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nobody seems sure whether they should be elected or not, or how large their fiefs ought to be.The puzzle of how to combine freedom with accountability bedevils education reforms far beyond the English Midlands.

The Economist

Mr. Quattrone left Morgan Stanley in 1996, having been rebuffed by Mr. Mack in an attempt to build a larger investment banking fief with his own research analysts, based in Silicon Valley in California.

The New York Times

After the Norman Conquest, the county was divided into 700 fiefs, and large areas were owned by the crown, with fortifications such as Dunster Castle used for control and defence.

Wikipedia

The fief included a large estate with date palms.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical contexts, use "large fief" to accurately convey the scale and significance of land controlled under feudal systems. It provides a specific and vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using "large fief" in contemporary settings where it doesn't apply. Using it metaphorically can sound anachronistic or overly dramatic; opt for more appropriate terms like "large estate" or "extensive domain" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large fief" functions as a noun phrase, where "large" modifies the noun "fief". Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct phrase, used to denote a significant landholding or estate within a feudal system. It typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "large fief" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant landholding, especially within a feudal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's accurate but rare, appearing primarily in historical or literary discussions. While "large fief" accurately conveys the scale of the land, avoid overuse in contemporary settings where more general terms like "extensive estate" or "vast domain" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive landholding

Combines 'extensive' and 'landholding' for a direct substitute.

great estate

A simpler, more direct way of saying "large fief."

extensive estate

Replaces the feudal term with a more general term for a sizable property.

vast domain

Uses 'domain' to emphasize the area of control and influence.

sizeable territory

Focuses on the geographical aspect of the landholding.

immense property

Highlights the sheer size and scale of the land.

substantial holding

Highlights the amount of land or assets controlled.

commanding estate

Emphasizes the power and authority associated with the estate.

significant dominion

Uses 'dominion' to convey the idea of control and authority.

major land grant

Emphasizes the origin and importance of the land allocation.

FAQs

How to use "large fief" in a sentence?

You can use "large fief" to describe significant landholdings in historical or fantasy contexts, like: "The nobleman controlled a "large fief" in the northern province."

What can I say instead of "large fief"?

You can use alternatives like "extensive estate", "vast domain", or "sizeable territory" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "large fief" or "small fief"?

Both ""large fief"" and "small fief" are grammatically correct, but they describe landholdings of different sizes. The choice depends on the actual size of the fief you are describing.

What's the difference between "large fief" and "kingdom"?

A ""large fief"" is a landholding granted by a lord to a vassal, while a kingdom is an independent state ruled by a king or queen. A kingdom is a sovereign entity, whereas a fief is part of a larger political structure.