servant

[sur-vuhnt]

noun

1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties.

2. a person in the service of another.

3. a person employed by the government.

   a public servant.

servant

/ ˈsɜːvənt /

noun

1. a person employed to work for another, esp one who performs household duties

2. See public servant

Other Word Forms

• servantless adjective
• servantlike adjective
• servant-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of servant¹

1175–1225; Middle English < Old French, noun use of present participle of servir to serve; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of servant¹

C13: via Old French, from servant serving, from servir to _serve

Example Sentences

Rounds of layoffs, the deferred-resignation plan and other voluntary departure programs, including an early-retirement push, slashed the number of civil servants, impeded work at government sites nationwide and reduced services that Americans rely on.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He told Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting.”

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The Gamble House has opened its servants quarters to tours and added an art installation that pointedly examines the lives of domestic workers; Gustavo Dudamel is back at the Hollywood Bowl.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Smoking a cigarette in a shaded doorway not far from the church, a 33-year-old civil servant, who gave her name as Aurélie, spoke with undisguised bitterness.

Read more on BBC

The Conservatives will set out proposals later on cutting public spending on welfare, aid and civil servants which the shadow chancellor will say would save £47bn over five years.

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Related Words

• assistant 
• attendant 
• helper