unfree

comparative more unfree · comparative unfreer · comparative unfree-er · superlative most unfree · superlative unfreest · superlative unfree-est

1. Not free; lacking freedom, especially (historical) of a tenant who was bound to a manor.

   Economically free countries enjoy decentralized power, whereas the power in economically unfree countries is centralized.

   2006, James R. Otteson, Actual Ethics, page 17

   1 more example

   By the time of the Nibelungenlied the word was used to denote a wide variety of usually ecclesiastic or royal administrators, from the lowest, unfree ministerial to an enfeoffed judge.

   2002, Francis G. Gentry, The Nibelungen Tradition, page 142

plural unfrees

1. historicalA person lacking freedom, such as a tenant bound to a manor.

   The commissioners then proceeded to consider the various petitions and remonstrances of the unfrees, and to determine the amount to be levied from each.

   1863, James Paterson, History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton (parts 1-2, page ccviii)