servitude

[ sur-vi-tood, -tyood ]
/ ˈsɜr vɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

slavery or bondage of any kind: political or intellectual servitude.
compulsory service or labor as a punishment for criminals: penal servitude.
Law. a right possessed by one person to use another's property.

Origin of servitude

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin servitūdō, equivalent to servi-, combining form of servus slave + -tūdō, -tude

Example sentences from the Web for servitude

British Dictionary definitions for servitude

servitude
/ (ˈsɜːvɪˌtjuːd) /

noun

the state or condition of a slave; bondage
the state or condition of being subjected to or dominated by a person or thing servitude to drink
law a burden attaching to an estate for the benefit of an adjoining estate or of some definite person See also easement
short for penal servitude

Word Origin for servitude

C15: via Old French from Latin servitūdō, from servus a slave