colonus

American  

[kuh-loh-nuhs] / kəˈloʊ nəs /

noun

coloni plural

1. a serf in the latter period of the Roman Empire or in the early feudal period.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• coloni
  plural

Etymology

Origin of colonus

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin colōnus “inhabitant of a colony, tenant farmer, farmer,” derivative of colere “to inhabit, till, cultivate”; cf. cult, cultivate

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colonus coloni

"Neither colonus nor casarius nor the son of such is he, nor even esne, whose trade might win him privileges."

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Kinney, Margaret West

As the colonus stood higher than the slave, so did the pauper, socially at any rate, free to support himself, exceed the colonus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various

It has been taken to denote two degrees of servitude—the predial dependence of a colonus and the personal dependence of a true slave.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

Then seek there a man by name of Tobias, a colonus and a worker in ivory for the good Christian priests.

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Kinney, Margaret West

Phil. ii. 41, like σύνοικος; colonus, the farmer, in opp. to the landowner, Cic.

From Döderlein's Hand-book of Latin Synonymes by Döderlein, Ludwig

As elsewhere, in Italy it was fiscal necessity which converted the free coloni into serfs.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly

Fourth, the liti, who, like the Roman coloni, were bound to the soil, which they cultivated as farmers, and for which they paid a small rent.

From History of Human Society by Blackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)

With his familia, and the coloni and casarii who own him lord, he can call out near a thousand; though it would take time to gather all of these from his estates.

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Kinney, Margaret West

Like the curiales and corporati, the coloni tried to exchange their status by entering the public service or attaining admission to some other social class.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly

The status of the coloni became hereditary, like that of the corporati.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly