One among the lesser folk in feudal times (4)
I believe the answer is:
serf
'feudal times' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'one among the lesser folk in' is the wordplay.
'one among' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'SERF' is hidden in the letters of 'lesser folk in'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for serf that I've seen before include "Person bound to the land and owned by a feudal lord" , "Person required to work for a lord" , "Labourer bound" , "(In the Middle Ages) someone bound to the land" , "Peasant, agricultural labourer" .)