Definition of subservient

The word "subservient" has its roots in the Latin word "subservire," meaning "to serve under" or "to William the Conqueror, in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest in 1066. At that time, the Latin word "subservire" was being used to describe people who held land from a superior lord in exchange for military,agricultural, or other services. The word eventually made its way into Old French as "sousservir," and by the time it reached Middle English in the 14th century, it had taken on the meaning of "obedient" or "servile." The modern English word "subservient" was formed from the Middle English "subseluven," which combined the French "sous" (meaning "under") with the Old English "selu" (meaning "slave" or "servant"). In modern usage, "subservient" generally implies a position of lower rank or dependence on another party, as in "subservient to authority" or "a subservient employee." However, the word can also have a broader meaning of being cooperative or helpful, particularly in a secondary or secondary role, as in "subservient to a cause" or "subservient to the needs of others."