feud Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a bitter quarrel between two parties
  2. verb carry out a feud
    • The two professors have been feuding for years

WordNet

Feud noun
Etymology
OE. feide, AS. fh, fr. fah hostile; akin to OHG. fhida, G. fehde, Sw. fejd, D. feide; prob. akin to E. fiend. See Foe.
Definitions
  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 noun
Etymology
LL. feudum, feodum prob. of same origin as E. fief. See Fief, Fee.
Definitions
  1. (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.

Webster 1913