feudal lords; barons; princes
Historical term for the various lords and nobles who served under a monarch in feudal systems, especially in Chinese and European contexts. Not used for modern nobility.
During the Spring and Autumn period, the feudal lords serving the Zhou king numbered in the hundreds.
In medieval Europe, the feudal lords held great power.
all daimyo; the feudal lords
From Chinese 諸侯 (zhūhóu), composed of 諸 'various' and 侯 'marquis/lord'. The term was adopted into Japanese with the same meaning.