servant
//ˈsɜːvənt//
Forms
- Plural
- servants
Definitions
1.One who is hired to perform regular household or other duties, and receives compensation. As opposed to a slave.
- There are three servants in the household, the butler and two maids.
- In the great houses, servants out of livery help to the different plats, servants in livery holding the dishes, sauces, etc., and changing the plates.
2.One who serves another, providing help in some manner.
- She is quite the humble servant, the poor in this city owe much to her but she expects nothing.
3.A person who dedicates themselves to God.
4.A person of low condition or spirit.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3881
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English servaunt, from Old French servant, from the present participle of the verb servir.
Doublet of sergeant and servient.
Morphologically serve + -ant.
Displaced native Old English þeġn.