# banal

/bəˈnɑɫ/ (US) · /bˈeɪnəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/banal
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. feudal law

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

relating to old laws where people had to use a lord's equipment, like a mill.

For teachers: relating to a type of feudal jurisdiction or compulsory service, such as the requirement for tenants to use the lord's mill.

- The peasants were subject to banal rights that forced them to pay for using the village oven.
- Legal historians often examine the banal obligations of the medieval peasantry to understand the economic structure of the manorial system.

Usage: In this sense, the word is strictly limited to historical and legal contexts regarding feudalism.

## Examples

- The movie has a banal plot that lacks any real tension.
- The once-revolutionary design of the building now feels banal to modern architects who see it everywhere.
- The critic argued that the novel's banal themes failed to engage a generation of readers who had grown weary of the same tired narratives.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.