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Indentured: meaning, definitions and examples

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indentured

 

[ ษชnหˆdษ›n.tสƒษ™rd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

historical labor

Indentured refers to a system of labor in which individuals, known as indentured servants, enter into a contract to work for a specific number of years in exchange for passage to a new land, food, shelter, and sometimes wages. This form of labor was particularly prevalent in the Americas during the 17th and 18th centuries, as a means to address labor shortages. Indentured servants were often from Europe and agreed to work for a master, relinquishing some personal freedoms in the process. The system eventually faded as wage labor became more common and slavery began to dominate the labor market.

Synonyms

bound, contracted, obligated

Examples of usage

  • Indentured servants worked for several years.
  • The colony relied heavily on indentured labor.
  • Many immigrants became indentured in America.

Translations

Translations of the word "indentured" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น indenturado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคพเค‚เคงเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช verpflichtet

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kontrak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะพะฝั‚ั€ะฐะบั‚ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kontraktowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฅ‘็ด„ใ•ใ‚ŒใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท indenturรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ contratado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sรถzleลŸmeli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณ„์•ฝ๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุนูŽู‚ุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zavรกzanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zaviazanรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฅ‘็บฆ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ podpisan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ samรพykkt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆะฐั€ั‚ั‚ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ”แƒ—แƒแƒœแƒฎแƒ›แƒ”แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผqavilษ™li

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ contratado

Word origin

The term 'indentured' originates from the 16th century, derived from the word 'indenture', which refers to a legal contract that outlines the terms of an agreement. The word 'indenture' itself comes from the French 'indenture', which denotes a split document that was used in contracts between parties. This document would typically be indented or notched to serve as a safeguard against fraud. Indentured servitude developed as a response to the emerging economy in the New World, providing a solution to labor shortages as European settlers sought labor for plantations and farms. The practice became a significant aspect of early American society, reflecting the larger social and economic transformations during the colonial period, and played a crucial role in the development of various industries.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,749, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.