🇩🇪German Source WordCode: DE

servil

Pronunciation / Transliteration: /zɛʁˈviːl/

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Servile/ˈsɜːr.vaɪl/
adjectiveCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #9500 frequency
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🇩🇪 Example Sentence in German:

"Er zeigte ein serviles Verhalten gegenüber seinem Vorgesetzten."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others; submissive or obsequious.

    "She grew tired of the servile behavior of the courtiers who agreed with his every word."
  2. 2

    Of or relating to a slave or servitude.

    "The historical text documented the harsh conditions of servile labor in ancient mines."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'servilis', pertaining to a slave or servant, from 'servus' (slave). Entering Middle English via Old French in the 14th century, the word initially denoted conditions pertaining to servitude before shifting to describe a submissive, overly eager-to-please behavioral disposition.

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