Fiefdom

/ˈfiːfdəm/ noun

Definition

A feudal estate or domain controlled by a lord; now used figuratively to describe any area under someone's exclusive control or authority.

Etymology

Fiefdom combines 'fief' (a feudal estate from Old French) with the suffix '-dom' (meaning domain or state). It describes both literal medieval estates and modern uses for any personal empire.

Kelly Says

Medieval lords controlled fiefdoms like modern billionaires control companies—the word 'fiefdom' shows how capitalism just recycled feudalism's power structure but with corporations instead of castles.

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