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servitude

noun

/ˈsəːvɪtjuːd/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of servitude

A condition in which an individual is bound to work for another person or organization, typically without pay.
"The slave's servitude lasted for many years before he was finally freed."

Detailed meaning of servitude

Servitude can take many forms, such as slavery, forced labor, debt bondage, or other forms of involuntary servitude. Servitude can also be imposed as a punishment for a crime or as a condition of release from prison. In most cases, servitude is considered to be a violation of human rights and is illegal in most countries. However, it still exists in some places, particularly in developing countries where laws and enforcement may be weak. Some forms of servitude are considered to be a form of human trafficking. The UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime defines it as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of threat, use of force or other forms of coercion, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person.

Example sentences containing servitude

1. The slaves endured a life of servitude under their oppressive masters.
2. He escaped from the chains of servitude and sought freedom.
3. The contract bound him to a period of servitude to repay his debts.
4. She found herself trapped in a cycle of servitude, unable to break free.
5. The feudal system imposed servitude upon the peasants.
6. The protagonist's journey was a quest to escape the servitude of poverty.

History and etymology of servitude

The noun 'servitude' finds its etymological roots in the Latin word 'servitudo,' derived from 'servus,' meaning 'slave' or 'servant.' 'Servitude' refers to a condition in which an individual is bound to work for another person or organization, typically without pay, and often with limited personal freedom. Historically, it was closely associated with slavery and involuntary labor, where individuals were considered the property of others. While contemporary usage of 'servitude' may also encompass various forms of indentured labor or constrained employment, it generally signifies a state of subjugation or dependence in which one's labor is compelled, reflecting the historical legacy of systems that denied individuals their basic rights and autonomy.

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Further usage examples of servitude

1. The protagonist's ultimate goal was to overthrow the tyrant and end the servitude of the people.
2. The protagonist's resilience inspired others to rise up against their servitude.
3. The servitude of the workers was exploited by the unscrupulous factory owners.
4. The novel depicted the harsh realities of servitude in early America.
5. The character's redemption came through breaking the chains of servitude.
6. The abolitionist movement fought to end the institution of servitude.
7. The system of indentured servitude allowed immigrants to work for a set period in exchange for passage to a new country.
8. The nobleman treated his servants with kindness, rather than subjecting them to harsh servitude.
9. The protagonist's escape from servitude symbolized their liberation and newfound independence.
10. The protagonist's defiance against servitude inspired others to question the status quo.
11. The narrative explored the psychological toll of long-term servitude on the human spirit.
12. The abolition of servitude brought about significant social and political changes.
13. The novel shed light on the hidden stories of those who lived in servitude.
14. The protagonist's transformation from servitude to leadership showcased the strength of the human spirit.