servile
Definitions
Excessively willing to obey or please others; slavishly submissive
奴性的；卑躬屈膝的；谄媚的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedserv (servus, slave) + -ile ('like, relating to') = slave-like. Latin servīlis literally meant 'of a slave.' In modern English it keeps that contempt: a servile person doesn't just serve, they grovel — fawning, flattering, with no self-respect.
Root serv still carries 62 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.servile flattery谄媚的奉承
- 2.servile obedience奴性的顺从
- 3.servile manner卑躬屈膝的态度
Example Sentences
- 1.
He greeted the boss with a servile smile that made everyone uncomfortable.
- 2.
She refused to adopt the servile manner expected of junior staff.
- 3.
Their servile flattery of the dictator was sickening.
Easily Confused
servile vs subservient — both mean overly submissive, but servile describes the cringing, fawning attitude itself (a servile smile), while subservient often describes a position or role made secondary (a subservient role, subservient to profit). servile is more purely insulting.