Enserf

/ɛnˈsɜrf/ verb

Definition

To make a serf of; to reduce to the status of a serf or to bind to the land as a feudal serf.

Etymology

From en- + serf (from Old French serf, from Latin servus, meaning servant or slave). This verb describes the act of reducing a free person to serfdom, a common historical practice in feudal Europe.

Kelly Says

This word documents a dark historical practice: when landowners 'enserfed' peasants, they were legally binding them to the land—the person couldn't leave without permission, essentially turning them into property tied to the estate.

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