Slave: meaning, definitions and examples

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slave

[ sleɪv ]

^{Context #1}

historical

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

Synonyms

bondman, bondswoman, captive, thrall

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}

figurative

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

Synonyms

pawn, servant, victim

Examples of usage

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

^{Context #3}

general

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

Synonyms

drudge, labor, toil

Examples of usage

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

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 origin

The word 'slave' originates from the Middle English 'sclave' and Old French 'esclave', which come from Medieval Latin 'Sclavus' (Slav), as many Slavic people were taken as slaves in the Middle Ages. The history of slavery dates back to ancient civilizations and has been a dark chapter in human history, marked by exploitation and oppression.