Middle English Dictionary Entry
servitūde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | servitūde n. |
| Etymology | OF servitude & L servitūdo. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Slavery, bondage; also, subjugation; (b) feudal allegiance or obedience; also, the state of being a vassal, vassalage.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5354 : Grekis..with hem ladde in captiuite..swiche as hem list spare Þat among vs in seruitude and care Compleyne her harme.
- a1475(c1450) Shirley SSecr.(Add 5467)305/12 : He that putteth his kyngedam in seruitude and in yvell custums passeth the right way of charite.
b
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)249/25 : In an euyl heure is he [Geffray] come in to oure land for to demande seruytude of vs.
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)359/3 : Thou holdest me for thy subget & woldest hold me in seruitude and thou hast therof [tribute owed] nothing to shew.