Bondswoman: meaning, definitions and examples

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bondswoman

[ ˈbɒndzwʊmən ]

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legal term

A bondswoman is a woman who is bound by indenture to serve a master for a certain period of time, typically in exchange for passage to a new land or for the payment of debts. Bondswomen were commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries in the American colonies.

Synonyms

bondmaid, indentured servant, servant

Examples of usage

The bondswoman worked on the plantation for five years before gaining her freedom.
She signed a contract to become a bondswoman in exchange for her brother's release from debt.

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historical context

In ancient times, a bondswoman referred to a female slave or servant who was owned by another person and had no freedom or rights of her own. Bondswomen were often bought and sold as property and had to work for their owners without any pay or autonomy.

Synonyms

captive, female slave, servant

Examples of usage

The bondswoman was treated as property and had no say in her own affairs.
She was born into slavery and spent her life as a bondswoman to a wealthy landowner.

Translations

Translations of the word "bondswoman" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escrava

🇮🇳 बंधक महिला

🇩🇪 Leibeigene

🇮🇩 budak perempuan

🇺🇦 рабиня

🇵🇱 niewolnica

🇯🇵 女奴隷 (じょどれい)

🇫🇷 esclave

🇪🇸 esclava

🇹🇷 kadın köle

🇰🇷 여자 노예 (yeoja noye)

🇸🇦 جارية

🇨🇿 otrokyne

🇸🇰 otrokyňa

🇨🇳 女奴 (nǚ nú)

🇸🇮 sužnja

🇮🇸 þrælka

🇰🇿 құл әйел

🇬🇪 მონა ქალი

🇦🇿 qadın kölə

🇲🇽 esclava

Word origin

The term 'bondswoman' originated from the practice of indentured servitude in the early American colonies. Women who entered into indenture agreements to work for a certain period of time in exchange for passage to the New World or the payment of debts were known as bondswomen. In ancient times, the term referred to female slaves or servants who were owned as property by others. Bondswomen had limited rights and autonomy, and their status was determined by their owners. The history of bondswomen reflects the broader history of slavery and servitude throughout the world.