Slave: meaning, definitions and examples

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slave

[sleɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

historical

A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

Synonyms

bondman, bondswoman, captive, thrall.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slave	Used to describe a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them. Frequently used in historical contexts or when discussing issues of forced labor and human trafficking. In the 19th century, many slaves in the United States worked on cotton plantations. Human rights organizations work to free modern-day slaves who are trapped in forced labor conditions.
bondman	An archaic term, primarily found in historical or literary contexts, referring to a male slave or serf. The medieval lord had numerous bondmen working the fields. Shakespeare often wrote about bondmen in his plays.
bondswoman	Similar to 'bondman', but specifically refers to a female slave or serf in historical or literary contexts. The bondswoman toiled alongside the field hands from dawn till dusk. The novel's protagonist is a bondswoman seeking freedom.
thrall	A more poetic or literary term, meaning someone under the control of another. Can also imply being mentally or emotionally enslaved. Often used in older texts. He was in thrall to his deep and overpowering desires.
captive	Refers to someone who has been captured and is being held against their will. It can be used in various situations, including war, kidnapping, or imprisonment. It usually does not imply being forced into labor like 'slave'. The soldier was held captive behind enemy lines for several weeks. Pirates took the crew members captive after boarding the ship.

Examples of usage

He was captured and sold into slavery.
Slavery was abolished in the 19th century.
She fought for the freedom of all slaves.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

figurative

A person who is excessively dependent on or controlled by something.

Synonyms

pawn, servant, victim.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slave	Refers to a person who is legally owned by someone else and is forced to work for that person without rights or payment. Can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is heavily controlled by another or by an addiction. Historical accounts of slaves highlight the brutal conditions they endured He is a slave to his work and never takes a break
servant	Refers to a person employed to perform domestic duties. Though considered outdated in many modern cultures, it can still be used in historical or formal contexts. The wealthy family employed several servants in their large household In old movies, a butler is often depicted as a loyal servant
pawn	Describes someone who is used by others for their own purposes, often without their awareness. Typically used in contexts where manipulation or exploitation is involved. He was merely a pawn in their political game In chess, pawns are often sacrificed to achieve a greater strategy
victim	Describes someone who has suffered harm, injury, or any other form of negative impact, often as a result of a crime, accident, or situation. It has a negative and sympathetic connotation. She was a victim of a terrible crime Flood victims received help from the community

Examples of usage

He became a slave to his work.
She was a slave to her addiction.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

general

To work very hard and for long hours without much control over one's work or life.

Synonyms

drudge, labor, toil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slave	Same as the first entry for 'slave', but can also refer to someone who is excessively dependent on or controlled by something or someone in a metaphorical sense. He is a slave to his smartphone, unable to put it down. They were treated like slaves in their harsh working environment.
toil	This word indicates long, hard, and exhausting work. It emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved. Farmers toiled in the fields from dawn till dusk. He toiled through the night to finish the project.
labor	This word is used to describe physical or mental work, especially of a hard or strenuous nature. It can be used in a neutral or positive manner depending on the context. The workers labored hard to complete the construction project. She went into labor and gave birth to a healthy baby.
drudge	This word describes a person who does tedious, menial, or unpleasant work, often over a long period of time. It conveys a sense of dullness and monotony. She drudged away in the office, handling paperwork and doing mundane tasks. After years of drudgery in dead-end jobs, he finally found a career he loved.

Examples of usage

He slaved away at the factory every day.
She slaved over her studies to pass the exam.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

In ancient Egypt, some construction workers were paid and well-treated, while others were enslaved to work on monuments.
The transatlantic slave trade forcibly brought millions of people from Africa to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Many societies throughout history relied on slavery, with records in Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and beyond.

Cultural Representation

In literature, famous works like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' by Harriet Beecher Stowe highlighted the inhumanity of slavery in the 19th century.
In contemporary music, the impact of slavery is explored in genres such as blues and hip-hop, reflecting struggles for freedom and identity.
Films like '12 Years a Slave' offer powerful, emotional portrayals of the realities faced by enslaved individuals.

Legal Developments

The abolition of slavery began in the late 18th century, with laws like the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which freed enslaved people in the British Empire.
The U.S. Civil War culminated in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which declared all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free.
Slavery, though illegal in most nations today, still persists in forms like human trafficking and forced labor, highlighting ongoing issues.

Psychological Impact

Survivors of slavery often experience long-lasting trauma, which can affect their families and communities for generations.
The psychological concept of 'stockholm syndrome' can apply in cases where enslaved individuals develop sympathy or loyalty towards their captors.
Research indicates that the legacy of slavery can lead to significant mental health challenges in descendants of enslaved populations.

Modern Implications

Organizations worldwide fight against modern slavery, which includes forms of labor exploitation and human trafficking.
In the 21st century, various global treaties and laws aim to prevent slavery, yet millions are still trapped in such conditions.
Awareness campaigns and education play a crucial role in combating slavery's lasting effects and supporting survivors.

Translations

Translations of the word "slave" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escravo

🇮🇳 ग़ुलाम

🇩🇪 Sklave

🇮🇩 budak

🇺🇦 раб

🇵🇱 niewolnik

🇯🇵 奴隷 (どれい, dorei)

🇫🇷 esclave

🇪🇸 esclavo

🇹🇷 köle

🇰🇷 노예 (noye)

🇸🇦 عبد

🇨🇿 otrok

🇸🇰 otrok

🇨🇳 奴隶 (núlì)

🇸🇮 suženj

🇮🇸 þræll

🇰🇿 құл

🇬🇪 მონა (mona)

🇦🇿 kölə

🇲🇽 esclavo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,311, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3308 crew
3309 unnecessary
3310 powder
3311 slave
3312 intense
3313 victim
3314 perception
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