ser·vile /ˈsɝvəl, ˌvaɪl/
(a.)奴隸的,奴隸根性的,卑屈的
Serv·ile a.
1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience.
She must bend the servile knee. --Thomson.
Fearing dying pays death servile breath. --Shak.
2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved.
Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! --Pope.
3. Gram. (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.
Serv·ile, n. Gram. An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.
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servile
adj 1: pertaining to or involving slaves; "the servile wars of
Sicily"
2: submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; "spoke in a
servile tone"; "the incurably servile housekeeper";
"servile tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work"
[ant: unservile]
3: involving slaves; "Brown's attempt at servile insurrection"
[syn: servile(a)]