Dictionary entry

Servile

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Serv″ile (?), a. [L. servile, fr. servus a servant or slave: cf. F. servile. See Serve.] 1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience.

She must bend the servile knee. Thomson.

Fearing dying pays death servile breath. Shak.

2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved.

Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! Pope.

3. (Gram.) (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.