colonus

American  

[kuh-loh-nuhs] / kəˈloʊ nəs /

noun

plural

coloni

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

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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

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

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 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

Sequor hunc, Lucanus an Appulus anceps; Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque colonus.

From The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Complete by Suetonius Tranquillus, Gaius

Rostra vacant, edicta silent, sua praemia desunt Emeritis, populo jura, colonus agris.

From The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, November 1864 by