Helot

[ hel-uht, hee-luht ]

noun

1. a member of the lowest class in ancient Laconia, constituting a body of serfs who were bound to the land and were owned by the state. Compare Perioeci, Spartiate.
2. helot, a serf or slave; bondman.

Helot

/ ˈhiː-; ˈhɛlət /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece, esp Sparta) a member of the class of unfree men above slaves owned by the state
2. usually not capital a serf or slave

Other Words From

• helot·age noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Helot¹

1570–80; < Latin hēlōtēs (plural) < Greek heílōtes

Word History and Origins

Origin of Helot¹

C16: from Latin Hēlotēs, from Greek Heilōtes, alleged to have meant originally: inhabitants of Helos, who, after its conquest, were serfs of the Spartans

Example Sentences

His cheeks bright red, his chin wet with spittle, the helot would weave and stagger and totter until he passed out in the dirt.

From The Daily Beast

Little by little, he had become to his wife so indulgent and so affectionate, that the poor helot felt her heart touched.

From Project Gutenberg

It may actually have been the unfortunate fall to which the helot owed his death.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be, I expected, such a sight as that which the drunken Helot once presented to the virtuous Spartan youth.

From Project Gutenberg

In the boat were Thorkeld, a helot of Iona, and two dark wild-eyed men of the north.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus sacrificing one class to the other, both were injured,—the imperious Spartan and the abased Helot.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• servant