Servile

Adjective

Definition: Showing or characteristic of an excessive willingness to serve or please others; obedient or submissive.

Definition: Of or characteristic of a slave or slaves.

Synonyms: Subservient, Obsequious, Slavish, Submissive

Antonyms: Independent, Assertive, Dominant, Free

Examples:
  • The servile waiter never spoke up for himself, always doing whatever the customers demanded.
  • The servile laborers toiled under harsh conditions, completely subject to their masters.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "servant" and how they are often expected to be servile and obedient.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English via Old French from Latin 'servilis', from 'servus' meaning 'slave'.

Historical Usage:

The term has been used to describe submission and being like a slave since Middle English and has retained its meaning throughout history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Servile work"

Explanation:

Refers to menial tasks or labor that is considered lowly or demeaning.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Servile is simply a synonym for "submissive".

Explanation:

While servile does describe someone who is submissive, it specifically carries connotations of being obedient like a slave, highlighting a lack of independence.

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