Etymology Map
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Servile

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means excessively willing to please

Where does the word "servile" come from? It comes from Latin servilis, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
servilis
Latin · ancient
"slavish"
from 'servus', slave
2
Stage 2 of 2
servile
English · 1300s
"of slaves"
the sense 'excessively obedient' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Servile’s story begins in Latin: servilis meant “slavish.” From 'servus', slave. It reached English by 1300s as servile. The sense 'excessively obedient' dates from the 1500s. Today, servile means excessively willing to please.