ENGLISH
REFERENCE

servitude

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈsɝvəˌtud// UK //sˈɜːvɪtjˌuːd// servi·tude Archaic

n. the state of being a slave or being forced to obey someone else. It describes a life where you have no freedom and must work for another person.

n. the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful. Often used in legal or historical contexts to describe involuntary labor or the lack of personal autonomy.


SIMPLE

The prisoners were forced into a life of servitude.

CONTEXTUAL

After the war, many people were sold into domestic servitude and lost all their legal rights.

COMPLEX

The philosopher argued that extreme economic dependence on a single employer is merely a modern, more subtle form of involuntary servitude.

Origin

From Middle French servitude, from Latin servitūdō, from Latin servus (“slave”). Equivalent to serve + -itude.

Usage

Often paired with the verb 'sold into' or 'forced into'.

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