late 15c., "slave," from M.Fr. serf, from L. servum (nom. servus) "slave" (see serve). Fallen from use in original sense by 18c. Meaning "lowest class of cultivators of the soil in continental European countries" is from 1610s. Use by modern writers with reference to medieval Europeans first recorded 1761 (contemporary Anglo-L. records used nativus, villanus or servus). Serfdom first attested 1850.
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GOOGLE’S TRICKS AND INTERNET LIES
Although their political persuasions vary widely, for one reason or another I have found the blogs listed below interesting. Each in its own way attempts to be reasonable. You will have to decide for yourself which succeeds.
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