noun
servitude
SUR-viht-shood
noun
1
The condition of being forced to work for someone else with little or no freedom, often against one's will.
"The novel depicts the harsh servitude endured by indentured workers."
"They fought for their freedom from servitude."
How to Use Servitude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA state of being controlled and forced to work for someone, with little or no personal freedom.
Easily confused with
servility
Common pairings
penal servitude
years of servitude
Word Forms
servitudes plural
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The novel depicts the harsh _____ endured by indentured workers.
Etymology
From Latin servitudo, from servus ("slave").