fee
/fiː/ · fee
noun
- A right to the use of a superior's land, as a stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so held; a fief. The lord granted a fee to his loyal knight for his military service.
- An inheritable estate in land held of a feudal lord on condition of the performing of certain services. The family held a fee in the kingdom for generations.
- An estate of inheritance in land, either absolute and without limitation to any particular class of heirs (fee simple) or limited to a particular class of heirs (fee tail). The will specified a fee simple to the eldest son.
verb
- To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe. The company will fee the consultant for her expertise.
Did you know? The concept of a fee has its roots in medieval Europe, where lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service, creating a system of reciprocal obligations.