In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
SERVILE
servile
(adjective) submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; “spoke in a servile tone”; “the incurably servile housekeeper”; “servile tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work”
servile
(adjective) relating to or involving slaves or appropriate for slaves or servants; “Brown’s attempt at servile insurrection”; “the servile wars of Sicily”; “servile work”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
servile (comparative more servile, superlative most servile)
of or pertaining to a slave.
submissive or slavish.
(grammar) Not belonging to the original root.
(grammar) Not sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceding vowel, like the e in tune.
Antonyms
• (submissive or slavish): authoritarian, arrogant
Noun
servile (plural serviles)
(grammar) An element which forms no part of the original root.
A slave; a menial.
Antonyms
• radical
Anagrams
• leviers, relives, reviles, veilers
Source: Wiktionary
Serv"ile, a. Etym: [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.
Serv"ile, n. (Gram.)
Definition: An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
9 April 2025
COMMISERATIVE
(adjective) feeling or expressing sympathy; “made commiserative clicking sounds with his tongue”- Kenneth Roberts
Coffee Trivia
