Dictionary entry

Menial

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Men″ial (?), a. [OE. meneal, fr. meine, maine, household, OF. maisniée, maisnie, LL. mansionaticum. See Mansion, and cf. Meine, n., Meiny.]

1. Belonging to a retinue or train of servants; performing servile office; serving.

Two menial dogs before their master pressed. Dryden.

2. Pertaining to servants, esp. domestic servants; servile; low; mean. “ Menial offices.” Swift.