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subservient

 - 3 dictionary results

sub⋅ser⋅vi⋅ent

  [suhb-sur-vee-uhnt]
–adjective
1. serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.
2. servile; excessively submissive; obsequious: subservient persons; subservient conduct.
3. useful in promoting a purpose or end.
Use subservient in a Sentence
Origin:
1625–35; < L subservient- (s. of subserviēns, prp. of subservīre to subserve ), equiv. to sub- sub- + servi-, s. of servīre to serve + -ent -ent

Related forms:
sub⋅ser⋅vi⋅ence, sub⋅ser⋅vi⋅en⋅cy, noun
sub⋅ser⋅vi⋅ent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To subservient
sub·ser·vi·ent   (səb-sûr'vē-ənt)   
adj.  

  1. Subordinate in capacity or function.

  2. Obsequious; servile.

  3. Useful as a means or an instrument; serving to promote an end.


[Latin subserviēns, subservient-, present participle of subservīre, to subserve; see subserve.]
sub·ser'vi·ence, sub·ser'vi·en·cy n., sub·ser'vi·ent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

subservient 
1632, "useful, serviceable," from L. subservientem (nom. subserviens), prp. of subservire "assist, lend support," from sub "under" + servire "serve." The meaning "slavishly obedient" is first recorded 1794.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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