Meaning & Definition of word "Slave"

Slave

/sleɪv/

noun:

  • 1. A person who is legally owned by another and is forced to work for that person without pay.
    • Example: The plantation owner had many slaves working in the fields.
  • 2. A person who is severely oppressed or controlled by another person or an institution.
    • Example: He felt like a slave to his demanding job, with no time for himself.
  • 3. A device or component that is controlled by another device (the master) in a system.
    • Example: In the computer network, one computer acted as the master while the others were slaves.

Etymology

From Old French 'esclave', from Latin 'sclavus', from the Byzantine Greek 'sklabos', meaning Slav.

Common Phrases and Expressions

slave to the grind:

Someone who works tirelessly, especially at a job they dislike.

wage slave:

A person who depends on wages for a living and has little control over their life.

slave away:

To work very hard for a long period of time.

Related Words

freeman:

A person who is not a slave; someone who has freedom.

servitude:

The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.

bondage:

The state of being bound to someone as a slave.

Slang Meanings of slave

Meaning: A worker who is overworked and underpaid.

Example Sentence: I feel like a slave to my job with these long hours.

Meaning: Someone who is deeply devoted to or obsessed with something.

Example Sentence: He's a slave to his video games, playing all weekend.