Feud (fūd), n. [OE. feide,
AS. fǣhð, fr. fāh hostile; akin to
OHG. fēhida, G. fehde, Sw. fejd, D.
feide; prob. akin to E. fiend. See Foe.]
1. A combination of kindred to avenge injuries
or affronts, done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender
and all his race.
2. A contention or quarrel; especially, an
inveterate strife between families, clans, or parties; deadly hatred;
contention satisfied only by bloodshed.
Mutual feuds and battles betwixt their several
tribes and kindreds.
Purchas.
Syn. -- Affray; fray; broil; contest; dispute; strife.
Feud, n. [LL. feudum,
feodum prob. of same origin as E. fief. See
Fief, Fee.] (Law) A stipendiary estate in
land, held of superior, by service; the right which a vassal or
tenant had to the lands or other immovable thing of his lord, to use
the same and take the profists thereof hereditarily, rendering to his
superior such duties and services as belong to military tenure, etc.,
the property of the soil always remaining in the lord or superior; a
fief; a fee.