■ noun
1》 a payment made to a professional person or to a professional or public body in exchange for advice or services.
↘a charge made for a privilege such as admission.
2》 Law, historical an estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~'d or ~d ) rare pay a ~ to.
Phrases
hold something in ~ Law, historical hold an estate in return for feudal service to a superior.
Origin
ME: from an Anglo-Norman Fr. var. of OFr. feu , fief , from med. L. feodum , feudum , ult. of Gmc origin; cf. feu and fief .