In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
SERVILELY
obsequiously, subserviently, servilely
(adverb) in an obsequious manner; “she acts obsequiously toward her boss”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
servilely (comparative more servilely, superlative most servilely)
In a servile way; fawningly.
Source: Wiktionary
Serv"ile*ly, adv.
Definition: In a servile manner; slavishly.
SERVILE
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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
12 January 2025
HABIT
(noun) (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; “owls have nocturnal habits”; “she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair”; “long use had hardened him to it”
Coffee Trivia
