helotism

American  

[hel-uh-tiz-uhm, hee-luh-] / ˈhɛl əˌtɪz əm, ˈhi lə- /

noun

1. the state or quality of being a helot; serfdom.

2. Ecology. the subordinate organisms in an unequal symbiotic relationship.

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helotism British  

/ ˈhiː-, ˈhɛləˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the condition or quality of being a Helot

2. a sociopolitical system in which a class, minority, nation, etc, is held in a state of subjection

3. zoology another name for dulosis

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Etymology

Origin of helotism

First recorded in 1815–25; Helot ( def. ) + -ism

Example Sentences

For the majority of the working-class to be thus, as he expresses it, "condemned as it were to perpetual helotism," is not conducive to the health of a nation.

From Contemporary Socialism by Rae, John

This form of helotism flourished but three years on American soil.

From Woman and the Republic — a Survey of the Woman-Suffrage Movement in the United States and a Discussion of the Claims and Arguments of Its Foremost Advocates by Johnson, Helen Kendrick

He urged Frederick William to abolish the prerogatives claimed by nobles and the helotism of all who were not noble, and suggested that judges should be appointed for life and justice rendered free of expense.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 10 — Lives and Letters by Mee, Arthur