servitude

American  

[sur-vi-tood, -tyood] / ˈsɜr vɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. slavery or bondage of any kind.

   political or intellectual servitude.

   Synonyms:

   thralldom, serfdom

   Antonyms:

   liberty

2. compulsory service or labor as a punishment for criminals.

   penal servitude.

3. Law. a right possessed by one person to use another's property.

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servitude British  

/ ˈsɜːvɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. the state or condition of a slave; bondage

2. the state or condition of being subjected to or dominated by a person or thing

   servitude to drink

3. law a burden attaching to an estate for the benefit of an adjoining estate or of some definite person See also easement

4. short for penal servitude

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Related Words

See slavery.

Etymology

Origin of servitude

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin servitūdō, equivalent to servi-, combining form of servus “slave” + -tūdō, -tude

Example Sentences

Viewers eventually learn Sophie’s servitude is forced after her parentage is revealed — she’s the illegitimate daughter of an earl.

From Los Angeles Times

The Declaration proclaimed all men created equal, yet the new nation’s economy depended on enslaved labor in the South and indentured servitude in the North.

From The Wall Street Journal

The way she sees it, she’s earned her sabbatical from domestic servitude.

From Salon

That also means that very soon Father will be freed from his servitude.

From Literature

Six seasons of TV and three feature films depict servitude as a benevolent state, sometimes verging on jolly.

From Salon

Related Words

• bondage
• enslavement
• serfdom
• subjugation