Servility: meaning, definitions and examples

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servility

 

[ səˈvɪlɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in behavior

The quality of being excessively submissive or obedient, often to an obsequious degree, showing a lack of self-respect and dignity.

Synonyms

deference, obsequiousness, subservience

Examples of usage

  • He hated the servility of the waitstaff at the restaurant.
  • She couldn't stand the servility of her coworkers who constantly sought approval from their boss.
Context #2 | Noun

historical context

The state or condition of being a slave or subjected to servitude.

Synonyms

bondage, enslavement, subjection

Examples of usage

  • The servility of the peasants towards their feudal lord was enforced by law.
  • The servility of the conquered people under the rule of the empire was evident in their daily lives.

Translations

Translations of the word "servility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 servilidade

🇮🇳 चापलूसी

🇩🇪 Unterwürfigkeit

🇮🇩 kerendahan hati

🇺🇦 покірність

🇵🇱 służalczość

🇯🇵 卑屈

🇫🇷 servilité

🇪🇸 servilismo

🇹🇷 itaatkarlık

🇰🇷 비굴함

🇸🇦 التذلل

🇨🇿 servilita

🇸🇰 servilita

🇨🇳 卑躬屈膝

🇸🇮 servilnost

🇮🇸 þrælkun

🇰🇿 құлдық

🇬🇪 მორჩილება

🇦🇿 itaətkarlıq

🇲🇽 servilismo

Word origin

The word 'servility' originates from the Latin word 'servilis,' meaning 'of a slave.' Its usage in English dates back to the mid-16th century. The concept of servility has been prevalent in various societies throughout history, often associated with power dynamics and social hierarchies.

See also: servant, server, serveware, service, serviette, servile, servingware, subservience, subservient, subserviently.