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plural fees
(law, historical) A right to the use of a superior's land as a stipend for certain services to be performed, typically military service.
(law, historical) Synonym of fief: the land so held.
(law, historical) An inheritable estate in land held of a feudal lord on condition of performance of certain services, typically military service.
(law) An inheritable estate in land, whether absolute and without limitation to potential heirs (fee simple) or with limitations to particular kinds of heirs (fee tail). examples
(figurative, obsolete) Synonym of possession. quotations
Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee;
1807, William Wordsworth, “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic”, in Poems in Two Volumes
What doth the poor man's son inherit? / Stout muscles and a sinewy heart, / A hardy frame, a hardier spirit; / King of two hands, he does his part / In every useful toil and art; / A heritage, it seems to me, / A king might wish to hold in fee.
1844, The Heritage, by James Russell Lowell
Cronshaw had told him that the facts of life mattered nothing to him who by the power of fancy held in fee the twin realms of space and time.
1915, W.S. Maugham, Of Human Bondage, chapter 121
(obsolete) Money paid or bestowed; payment; emolument.
(obsolete) A prize or reward. Only used in the set phrase "A finder's fee" in Modern English. quotations
For though sweet love to conquer glorious bee, / Yet is the paine thereof much greater than the fee.
1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie
An additional monetary payment charged for a service or good, especially one that is minor compared to the underlying cost. quotations examples
Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.
2013 July 19, Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 30
third-person singular simple present fees, present participle feeing, simple past and past participle feed
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe. quotations examples
In vain for Hellebore the patient cries / And fees the doctor; but too late is wise
1693, John Dryden, “The Third Satire of Aulus Persius Flaccus”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis
There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant feed.
c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene iv]
We departed the grounds without seeing Marbonna; and previous to vaulting over the picket, feed our pretty guide, after a fashion of our own.
1847, Herman Melville, Omoo
It was at a much earlier hour than that which Mrs. Santon had named, that Delwood presented himself, and handsomely feeing the porter who answered his summons, he asked to see Miss Santon […]
1859, Ferna Vale, Natalie; or, A Gem Among the Sea-Weeds