SERVANT • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Servant

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/sˈərvənt/ Listen

noun

Servant n.

One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper. "A yearly hired servant." "Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government or the country." Note: In a legal sense, stewards, factors, bailiffs, and other agents, are servants for the time they are employed in such character, as they act in subordination to others. So any person may be legally the servant of another, in whose business, and under whose order, direction, and control, he is acting for the time being.

One in a state of subjection or bondage. "Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt."

A professed lover or suitor; a gallant. (Obs.) "In my time a servant was I one."

Servant of servants, one debased to the lowest condition of servitude.

Your humble servant, or Your obedient servant, phrases of civility formerly often used in closing a letter, now archaic; at one time such phrases were exaggerated to include Your most humble, most obedient servant. "Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be their slaves."

verb

Servant v. t. To subject. (Obs.)

See images of 'Servant'

Etymology of 'Servant'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Servant" Quotes from Famous Books

... his breath, and, in a mechanical fashion, began to build little castles with the draughts. He was just about to add to an already swaying structure when a thundering rat-tat-tat at the door dispersed the draughts to the four corners of the room. The servant opened the door, and the next moment ushered in Mrs. ...

— Short Cruises • W.W. Jacobs

... making new acquaintances, instituting a search for a servant and a pony, receiving many offers of help, asking questions and receiving from different people answers which directly contradict each other. Hours are early. Thirteen people called on me before noon. Ladies drive themselves about the town in small pony ...

— Unbeaten Tracks in Japan • Isabella L. Bird

... The stoical soldier, the impassive man-at-arms, overcome by fear and sad presentiments, had yielded, for a few moments, to human weakness. When, therefore, he had silenced his heart and calmed the agitation of his nerves, turning towards his lackey, a silent servant, always listening, in order to ...

— The Man in the Iron Mask • Alexandre Dumas, Pere

... and chemistry, to improve them for his own uses far beyond the ability of the makers. His studio was filled with examples of his work, and his mind was stocked with information and opinions on all subjects ranging from international policies to the servant-girl problem. ...

— The Grain Ship • Morgan Robertson

... English stationed or resident in Bengal, the literal meaning being, "Who is there?" It is the customary call for a servant; one always being in attendance, though not ...

— The Sailor's Word-Book • William Henry Smyth

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