Servile
/ˈsɜːr.vaɪl/noun
Showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
Did you know?The root of 'servile' is linked to ancient slavery practices, as it derives from Latin 'servus', meaning 'slave', emphasizing a deep historical context of subservience.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*serw-
“to preserve, to keep safe”
Latin
Latin
servus
“slave, servant”
Old French
Old French
servil
“relating to a slave, servile”
Middle English
Middle English
servil
“of or pertaining to a servant or slave”
Modern English
English
servile
“characterized by an excessive willingness to serve or please others”