servile
pronunciation
How to pronounce servile in British English:
UK [ˈsɜ:vaɪl]
How to pronounce servile in American English:
US [ˈsɜrvl]
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- Adjective:
- pertaining to or involving slaves
- submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
- involving slaves
Word Origin
- servile (adj.)
- late 14c., from Latin servilis "of a slave" (as in Servile Wars, name given to the slave revolts in the late Roman Republic), also "slavish, servile," from servus "slave" (see serve (v.)). Earliest sense was legal, servile work being forbidden on the Sabbath; sense of "cringing, fawning" first recorded c. 1600.
Antonym
Example
- 1. If you do not love freedom , they will be servile .
- 2. However , be careful to not appear servile .
- 3. On the first day ye have a holy convocation , ye do no servile work .
- 4. Antigone challenges his servile happiness .
- 5. Bow in a servile manner .