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servile

ser·vile
S s

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [sur-vil, -vahyl]
    • /ˈsɜr vɪl, -vaɪl/
    • /ˈsɜː.vaɪl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [sur-vil, -vahyl]
    • /ˈsɜr vɪl, -vaɪl/

Definitions of servile word

  • adjective servile slavishly submissive or obsequious; fawning: servile flatterers. 1
  • adjective servile characteristic of, proper to, or customary for slaves; abject: servile obedience. 1
  • adjective servile yielding slavishly; truckling (usually followed by to). 1
  • adjective servile extremely imitative, especially in the arts; lacking in originality. 1
  • adjective servile being in slavery; oppressed. 1
  • adjective servile of, relating to, or involving slaves or servants. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of servile

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin servīlis, equivalent to serv- (stem of servīre to be a slave) + -īlis -ile

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Servile

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

servile popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

servile usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for servile

adj servile

  • abject — You use abject to emphasize that a situation or quality is extremely bad.
  • adulatory — If someone makes an adulatory comment about someone, they praise them and show their admiration of them.
  • at one's mercy — compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
  • cast down — If someone is cast down by something, they are sad or worried because of it.
  • compliable — compliant

adjective servile

  • base — The base of something is its lowest edge or part.
  • cringing — servile; obsequious
  • groveling — to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
  • grovelling — to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
  • humble — not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.

Antonyms for servile

adj servile

  • arrogant — Someone who is arrogant behaves in a proud, unpleasant way towards other people because they believe that they are more important than others.
  • biggety — conceited or self-important.
  • cold-shoulder — to snub; show indifference to.
  • crack the whip — to assert one's authority, esp to put people under pressure to work harder
  • dictatorial — Dictatorial means controlled or used by a dictator.

adjective servile

  • compulsatory — compulsory
  • highhanded — Alternative spelling of high-handed.
  • noble — distinguished by rank or title.
  • queenly — belonging or proper to a queen: queenly propriety.
  • wellborn — born of a good, noble, or highly esteemed family.

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See also

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