browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
servile |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Servile \Serv"ile\, n. (Gram.) An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to {radical}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Servile \Serv"ile\, a. [L. servile, fr servus a servant or slave: cf F. servile. See {Serve}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence meanly submissive; slavish; mean cringing; fawning; as servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience. She must bend the servile knee. --Thomson. Fearing dying pays death servile breath. --Shak. 2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved. Even fortune rules no more O servile land! --Pope. 3. (Gram.) a Not belonging to the original root; as a servile letter. b Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: servile adj 1: pertaining to or involving slaves; "the servile wars of Sicily" 2: submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; "spoke in a servile tone"; "the incurably servile housekeeper"; "servile tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work" [ant: {unservile}] 3: involving slaves; "Brown's attempt at servile insurrection" [syn: {servile(a)}]
more about servile