slave Meaning & Definition
What Does Slave Mean?
Slave is used as a noun meaning A person who is held in servitude as the property of another person, and whose labor (and often also whose body and life) is subject to the owner's volition and control. It can also mean A drudge; one who labors or is obliged (e.g. by prior contract) to labor like a slave with limited rights, e.g. an indentured servant. As a verb, it means To work as a slaver, to enslave people.
Slave at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /sleɪv/ |
| Synonyms | striver, hard worker and buckle down |
| Plural | slaves |
| Verb forms | slaves, slaving, slaved |
Slave Definition (Noun)
- A person who is held in servitude as the property of another person, and whose labor (and often also whose body and life) is subject to the owner's volition and control.
- A drudge; one who labors or is obliged (e.g. by prior contract) to labor like a slave with limited rights, e.g. an indentured servant.
- An abject person.
- One who has no power of resistance to something, one who surrenders to or is under the domination of something.
a slave to passion, to strong drink, or to ambition
- A submissive partner in a BDSM relationship who consensually submits to, sexually or personally, serving one or more masters or mistresses.
- A sex slave, a person who is forced against their will to perform, for another person or group, sexual acts on a regular or continuing basis.
- A device (such as a secondary flash or hard drive) that is subject to the control of another (a master).
Slave as a Verb
- To work as a slaver, to enslave people.
- To work hard.
I was slaving all day over a hot stove.
- To place a device under the control of another.
to slave a hard disk
Synonyms of Slave
Slave synonyms and antonyms →Slave in a Sentence
a slave to passion, to strong drink, or to ambition
I was slaving all day over a hot stove.
to slave a hard disk
Word Forms & Grammar
slave (plural slaves)
slave (third-person singular simple present slaves, present participle slaving, simple past and past participle slaved)
Words That Rhyme With Slave
Origin of Slave
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English sclave, from Old French esclave, from Medieval Latin sclavus (“slave”), from Late Latin Sclavus (“Slav”), traditionally assumed to be because Slavs were often forced into slavery in the Middle Ages.[1][2][3][4][5] The Latin word is from Medieval Greek Σκλάβος (Sklábos); see that entry and Slav for more. Displaced native Old English þēow. Thrall and bondsman/bondswoman, however, remain common synonyms. Doublet of ciao and Slav.
Origin 2: An alternative hypothesis derives sclavus from Ancient Greek σκῡλεύω (skūleúō), σκῡλάω (skūláō, “to strip or despoil a slain enemy”).[6][7][8][9]
Common Questions About Slave
Is slave a noun or a verb?
Slave is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for slave?
You can replace slave with words such as striver, hard worker and buckle down. See the full list of slave synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of slave?
The plural of slave is slaves.
What is the past tense of slave?
The past tense of slave is slaved. The present participle is slaving.