01 n. The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave; slavery; bo…
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1.
The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave; slavery; bondage; hence, a state of slavish dependence.“You would have sold your king to slaughter, His princes and his peers to servitude.” — Shak.“A splendid servitude; . . . for he that rises up early, and goes to bed late, only to receive addresses, is really as much abridged in his freedom as he that waits to present one.” — South.
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2.
Servants, collectively.[Obs.]“After him a cumbrous train Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude.” — Milton.
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3.
A right whereby one thing is subject to another thing or person for use or convenience, contrary to the common right.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
Penal servitude —
See under Penal.
Personal servitude —
that which arises when the use of a thing is granted as a real right to a particular individual other than the proprietor.
Predial servitude —
that which one estate owes to another estate. When it related to lands, vineyards, gardens, or the like, it is called rural; when it related to houses and buildings, it is called urban.