Female slave: meaning, definitions and examples

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female slave

 

[ ˈfiːmeɪl sleɪv ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

history

A female slave is a woman who is owned by another person and is forced to work without pay. Female slaves have been historically used for domestic work, agricultural labor, and sexual exploitation.

Synonyms

bondmaid, bondwoman, concubine.

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Word Description / Examples
female slave

Commonly used in historical texts or discussions to describe a woman who is owned by another person and is forced to work without pay. Can be used in modern discussions about human rights to emphasize the severity of the condition.

  • The female slaves on the plantation were forced to work from dawn until dusk.
  • Historical accounts often overlook the plight of female slaves during colonial times.
bondwoman

Used in historical or legal contexts to describe a woman who is enslaved or bound in servitude. The term emphasizes legal and social status.

  • The ancient documents revealed the harsh lives of bondwomen in the kingdom.
  • As a bondwoman, she had no say over her own life or future.
bondmaid

An archaic term mostly found in historical literature or texts. It refers to a woman who is bound to serve someone and has a slightly old-fashioned or poetic tone.

  • The bondmaid faithfully served her mistress but longed for her freedom.
  • In medieval castles, bondmaids were responsible for various household duties.
concubine

Refers to a woman who lives with a man but has a lower social status than his wife or wives. It's often used in historical or cultural discussions, particularly relating to royal courts or polygamous societies.

  • The king's concubine wielded considerable influence in the royal court.
  • Historical texts often describe the roles and lives of concubines in ancient civilizations.

Examples of usage

  • Female slaves were often treated as property and had no rights or freedoms.
  • Many female slaves were subjected to physical and sexual abuse by their owners.
  • Female slaves played a crucial role in the economies of ancient civilizations.
  • The living conditions of female slaves were often harsh and dehumanizing.
  • Female slaves were considered inferior to free women in society.

Translations

Translations of the word "female slave" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escrava

🇮🇳 दासी

🇩🇪 Sklavin

🇮🇩 budak perempuan

🇺🇦 рабиня

🇵🇱 niewolnica

🇯🇵 女性の奴隷 (じょせいのどれい)

🇫🇷 esclave féminine

🇪🇸 esclava

🇹🇷 kadın köle

🇰🇷 여성 노예 (yeoseong noye)

🇸🇦 جارية

🇨🇿 otrokyně

🇸🇰 otrokyňa

🇨🇳 女奴隶 (nǚ núlì)

🇸🇮 sužnja

🇮🇸 kvenþræll

🇰🇿 құл әйел

🇬🇪 მონათი ქალი

🇦🇿 qadın kölə

🇲🇽 esclava

Etymology

The history of female slavery dates back to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome, where women were treated as property and had no legal rights. Female slaves were used for various purposes, including domestic work, agricultural labor, and sexual servitude. The practice of female slavery continued through the transatlantic slave trade and persisted in various forms until the abolition of slavery in the 19th century. The legacy of female slavery has had lasting impacts on gender inequality and human rights.