Anderun

/ˈændərʌn/ noun

Definition

An archaic or historical term for a Scottish underling or subordinate, particularly in feudal contexts.

Etymology

Scottish word from 'under' + 'run,' referring to someone who was beneath another in the social hierarchy and 'ran' under their authority.

Kelly Says

Medieval Scottish social structures created such specific vocabulary for each rank that we lost most of these words, but 'anderun' hints at a whole now-invisible social ladder.

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