feudal vassal lords; outer dependencies
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
feudal lords with enfeoffed territories; vassal kings of the outer regions
formalHistorical term referring to semi-autonomous rulers in feudal China, often controlling border regions. Distinct from '内服' (inner service) which referred to territories under direct imperial control.
During the Qing Dynasty, the various Mongol tribes were regarded as outer vassals.
These vassal lords possessed relatively independent ruling authority, yet still needed to pay tribute to the central court.
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The outer vassal system established during the Ming Dynasty effectively stabilized the border regions.
noun
vassal states; outer dependencies; tributary territories
formalBroader sense referring to any subordinate political entity or territory that acknowledges the suzerainty of a central power but maintains internal autonomy.
Historically, Ryukyu was consistently a vassal state of China.
These outer dependencies maintained close trade relations with their suzerain state.