servantser‧vant /ˈsɜːvənt $ ˈsɜːr-/ ●●○ noun [countable] 
Many young girls became domestic servants.2servant of somebody/something someone who is controlled by someone or something – often used to show disapproval: Are we the servants of computers? → civil servant
WORD ORIGINservant
Origin:
1100-1200 Old French present participle of servir; ➔ SERVE1EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Even with the furnace on, he had the servants put coal in the grates of most of the rooms.
- His servant hastened to make all ready, build fires and heat water for the baths and prepare food.
- Is he master of this universe or the servant of its masters?
- The servant was frightened and ran away.
- To be this man's servant - what was there to be proud in that?
WORD SETS
accountant, nounactuary, nounadministrator, nounadviser, nounadvocate, nounamanuensis, nounarchivist, nounarmourer, nounauctioneer, nounaudiotypist, nounbackroom boy, nounbailiff, nounbaker, nounbanker, nounbarber, nounbargee, nounbarkeeper, nounbarker, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeachcomber, nounbeadle, nounbellboy, nounbellhop, nounbiographer, nounblacksmith, nounboatman, nounboatswain, nounbodyguard, nounboffin, nounbombardier, nounbookseller, nounboss, nounbotanist, nounbouncer, nounbreeder, nounbricklayer, nounbuckaroo, nounbuilder, nounbureaucrat, nounbutcher, nounbutler, nounbuyer, nouncabin boy, nouncabinet-maker, nouncareer counselor, nouncareers officer, nouncaretaker, nouncarpenter, nouncarter, nouncashier, nouncaterer, nounCEO, nouncertified public accountant, nounchairman, nounchambermaid, nounchandler, nounchar, nouncharlady, nouncharwoman, nounchef, nounchief executive officer, nounchief of staff, nounchildminder, nounchimney sweep, nouncleaner, nounclerk, nounclothier, nounclown, nouncoastguard, nouncobbler, nouncocktail waitress, nouncollier, nouncomedian, nouncomedienne, nouncomic, nouncommercial traveller, nouncommissionaire, nouncompositor, nounconcierge, nounconfectioner, nounconsultant, nouncook, nouncooper, nouncopy editor, nouncopywriter, nouncorrespondent, nouncostermonger, nouncounsellor, nouncourier, nouncowboy, nouncowgirl, nouncowhand, nouncowpoke, nounCPA, nouncraftsman, nouncrew, nouncrewman, nouncrofter, nouncroupier, nouncurator, nouncustodian, noundaily, noundairymaid, noundairyman, noundelivery man, noundesigner, noundesk clerk, noundetective, noundick, noundietician, noundinner lady, noundisc jockey, noundispatch rider, noundistrict nurse, noundiver, nounDJ, noundocent, noundocker, noundogcatcher, noundog warden, noundomestic, noundomestic service, noundoorkeeper, noundoorman, noundowser, noundramatist, noundraper, noundraughtsman, noundressmaker, noundriver, noundrover, noundruggist, noundustbin man, noundustman, nouneducationalist, nouneducator, nounelectrician, nounengineer, nounescort, nounessayist, nounestate agent, nounexecutive, nounfarmer, nounfarmhand, nounfarrier, nounfire chief, nounfirefighter, nounfireman, nounfirst mate, nounfirst officer, nounfishmonger, nounfitter, nounflorist, nounflower girl, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfrogman, nounfruiterer, nounfunctionary, nounfuneral director, nounfurrier, noungaffer, noungamekeeper, noungarbage collector, noungarbage man, noungardener, noungatekeeper, noungaucho, noungendarme, nounghost writer, nounglazier, noungoatherd, noungoldsmith, noungondolier, noungoverness, noungovernor, noungravedigger, noungreengrocer, noungrip, noungrocer, noungroom, noungroundsman, nounground staff, nounguard, nounguest worker, nounguide, noungunner, noungunsmith, nounhack, nounhandler, nounhandmaiden, nounhandyman, nounhangman, nounharvester, nounhatter, nounhawker, nounheadhunter, nounhead teacher, nounhelper, nounherald, nounherbalist, nounherdsman, nounhired hand, nounhireling, nounhistorian, nounhomemaker, nounhomeworker, nounhouse husband, nounhousewife, nouniceman, nounillustrator, nounimpersonator, nounimpresario, nounindustrialist, nouninnkeeper, nouninspector, nouninterior decorator, nouninterpreter, nouninvestigator, nounjanitor, nounjester, nounjeweller, nounjoiner, nounjourno, nounJP, nounjudge, nounkeeper, nounlamplighter, nounlandlady, nounlandlord, nounlibrarian, nounlocksmith, nounlongshoreman, nounmagician, nounmaid, nounmaid of honour, nounmaidservant, nounmail carrier, nounmailman, nounmaitre d', nounmajordomo, nounman, nounmanagement consultant, nounmanservant, nounmason, nounmasseur, nounmasseuse, nounmatador, nounmathematician, nounmechanic, nounmedic, nounmenial, adjectivemenial, nounmerchant seaman, nounmidwife, nounmilkmaid, nounmilkman, nounmilliner, nounminder, nounminer, nounminiaturist, nounminister, nounmodel, nounmortician, nounmover, nounmovie star, nounnanny, nounnavvy, nounnewscaster, nounnewsreader, nounnight porter, nounnight watchman, nounnovelist, nounnumber cruncher, nounnurse, nounnursemaid, nounnurseryman, nounnursery nurse, nounnursing, nounobstetrician, nounoccupation, nounodd-job man, nounoilman, nounold salt, nounoptician, nounostler, nounpacker, nounpaediatrician, nounpaediatrics, nounpageboy, nounpainter, nounpalmist, nounpaperboy, nounpaper girl, nounpaper-pusher, nounparachutist, nounparalegal, nounparamedic, nounpark keeper, nounparliamentarian, nounpathology, nounpawnbroker, nounpeasant, nounpedlar, nounpen pusher, nounpensioner, nounperformer, nounpersonal assistant, nounpharmacist, nounphotographer, nounpipe fitter, nounplanter, nounplasterer, nounplaywright, nounploughman, nounplumber, nounpoet, nounpolice, nounporter, nounpostman, nounpotter, nounpractitioner, nounprinter, nounprivate detective, nounprivate eye, nounprivate investigator, nounprivate practice, nounprivate secretary, nounpro, nounpro, adjectiveprobation officer, nounprofession, nounprofessional, adjectiveprofessional, nounprofessionally, adverbprogrammer, nounproperty developer, nounprostitute, nounpsychiatrist, nounpsychiatry, nounpsychoanalyst, nounpublican, nounpublic defender, nounpublicist, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic relations, nounpublisher, nounpurser, nounquantity surveyor, nounquestion master, nounrabbi, nounradiographer, nounradiologist, nounrag-and-bone-man, nounrancher, nounranger, nounreal estate agent, nounreceptionist, nounrecruit, nounrector, nounregistrar, nounrepo man, nounreporter, nounrestaurateur, nounretailer, nounreviewer, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrookie, nounroughneck, nounroustabout, nounsailor, nounsalesclerk, nounsalesgirl, nounsalesman, nounsalesperson, nounsales representative, nounsaleswoman, nounsanitation worker, nounscalper, nounschoolmaster, nounschoolmistress, nounschoolteacher, nounscout, nounscout, verbscrew, nounscribe, nounscrubber, nounsea captain, nounseaman, nounseamstress, nounsecretary, nounsecurity guard, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveservant, nounshepherd, nounshepherdess, nounship's chandler, nounshipwright, nounshoemaker, nounshopkeeper, nounsilversmith, nounsmith, nounsoldier, nounsoldier of fortune, nounspaceman, nounspiv, nounstallholder, nounstationer, nounsteeplejack, nounsteersman, nounsteno, nounstenographer, nounstevedore, nounstockbroker, nounstoker, nounstorekeeper, nounstraight man, nounstringer, nounstructural engineer, nounstylist, nounsubmariner, nounsuperintendent, nounsurveyor, nounsweep, nounswineherd, nountailor, nountanner, nountaster, nountattooist, nountaxidermist, nounteamster, nountelecommuter, nounteller, nountemp, nountemp, verbtinker, nountobacconist, nountown crier, nountrade, nountradesman, nountraffic warden, nountranslator, nountrapper, nountravel agent, nountravelling salesman, nountreasurer, nountroubleshooter, nountrucker, nounturner, nountypist, nountypographer, nounundertaker, noununderwriter, nounusher, nounusherette, nounusurer, nounvalet, nounvaluer, nounvice-president, nounvideo jockey, nounvillein, nounvintner, nounvocation, nounvocational, adjectivewaiter, nounwaitress, nounwallah, nounwarden, nounwarder, nounwasherwoman, nounwatchmaker, nounwatchman, nounweaver, nounwelder, nounwhaler, nounwheelwright, nounwindow cleaner, nounwindow dresser, nounwoodcutter, nounwoodsman, nounworkman, nounWPC, nounwrangler, nounwriter, nounyeoman, nounzoo-keeper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Many young girls became domestic servants.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
Many young girls became domestic servants.· The internal fax was addressed to a dozen civil servants within the Department of Social Security.· And when there are bad civil servants, they cast all government programs into disrepute.· Whatever the outcome the long-standing, unwritten code of behaviour that governs relations between ministers and civil servants would be gravely battered.· Even in 1970, public schools produced 62 percent of top civil servants and 80 percent of the top judiciary.· Several references have already been made to the support of ministers by civil servants.· Focardi's research shows that civil servants were told in blunt language to fake the quest for justice.· Those in professional posts, such as bankers and civil servants, could travel up to 50 or 60 miles to work.· Certainly, it is not the function of select committees to discipline civil servants.
· To help support her growing family, she worked as a domestic servant in the houses of rich Anglo people in Pasadena.· Edinburgh had practically no textile workers, men or women; but as we have seen it had a great many domestic servants.· For most domestic servants though, the occupation was a temporary life-cycle one.· Presumably the decline of domestic servants to launder the disgusting handkerchiefs.· In Oxford, out of 312 boys, 119 became errand lads, while 110 girls out of 223 became domestic servants.· She was destined to remain a spinster, finding work as a domestic servant in - of all places - far-away Surrey.
· To an old and faithful servant of the ultramontane papacy such as Ottaviani, it was all the most absolute madness.· Your faithful servant chokes to death, and you do nothing!· With my humble duty, I remain, Your Majesty's faithful and devoted servant.· He alone had the key to each quarter: he and his faithful servant Robert alone knew the key to his secret.
· He would never be a rival, he would remain the loyal servant of the Chairman.· I came here to be a good lord as well as the King's most loyal servant!· It was a shabby finale for a grand and loyal Palace servant.· It's loyal servants the Lancaster and Andovers bid their farewells.· Two of the King's most loyal servants have died here, foully murdered.
· I am, Madam, Your obedient servant ... This last enigma - the enigma of his fate - would remain.· I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant.· Until now Justin has been an obedient civil servant, content to toe the official line-in short, a plodder.
· She ran indoors, past the old servant, and hurried into the drawing-room.· Mayor Susan Golding introduced the 52-year-old career public servant in a light-hearted afternoon news conference at City Hall.· When I knocked at the door, Mr Rochester's old servant, John, opened it and recognized me.· An old servant opened the door.· I left him, and went to find the old servant, Joseph.· He paid his rent, and Mr Carnford gave him the name of an old servant to look after him.· To an old and faithful servant of the ultramontane papacy such as Ottaviani, it was all the most absolute madness.· The old servant emerged from behind a pillar, silently opened the heavy door just enough for Claudel to slip through.
· If other servants resented him, these two carefully shielded him.· To what extent does the increasing militancy of other civil servants influence policy making?· As such, they were treated as menials, on a level with cooks, footmen and other servants.· Perhaps there were no other servants, I thought.· The new Viceroy was assigned greater authority than any other servant of the crown.· The other servants were at market or running errands.· Like the other servants who had witnessed the incident, I just looked away, pretending nothing had happened.· But I don't want any other civil servants turning up.
· The position of public servants must be uneasy when the Cabinet is zealous to prune expenditure.· Mayor Susan Golding introduced the 52-year-old career public servant in a light-hearted afternoon news conference at City Hall.· The Council included a number of former public servants as well as bankers and academics, rather than career politicians.· Appointed for life, they remain the most insulated of public servants.· Surely no-one in Castlereagh would begrudge a modest investment in proper safe, clean and comfortable working accommodation for their public servants?· Despite his eventual betrayal of me-for which I have forgiven him-Hu was a superb implementer and an outstanding public servant.· Something of the concerned public servant had crept into his manner.
· Another confidential royal servant, however, fared less well.· Because of Gloucester's influence in the duchy, royal servants naturally looked to him for lordship.· The duke, in other words, contributed to the royal connection as well as providing a focus for existing royal servants.· It is clear that neither of them could call on the personal loyalty of the royal servants in the duchy.· Dudley, a trusted royal servant, was prepared to see an expansion of ducal influence in the county.· By 1483 some at least of the royal servants were sufficiently committed to Gloucester to play an active role in his coup.· The evidence seems to point to a legal style which a number of royal servants were competent to use.
· Many ministers and senior civil servants are convinced Britain will be dragged into the civil war in 1993.· Action has been taken against several dozen senior civil servants.· The advice of senior civil servants was especially influential at this period.· A working party consisting of senior civil servants and an academic political scientist was appointed.· Ministers and senior civil servants are not amused.· He looked like a senior civil servant.· It was a leafy place; professional people, merchants, senior civil servants had lived around here for a long time.· A rectangular conference table and four chairs, of a type provided for senior public servants, stood between the tall windows.
· The judges still got 18.6 percent and top civil servants averaged 14.3 percent.· Even in 1970, public schools produced 62 percent of top civil servants and 80 percent of the top judiciary.· Moreover, top civil servants are not only involved in policy formation.· I am willing to wager that the Government will not present proposals before the election about the salary of top civil servants.
NOUN· Now I must go to say goodbye to Tess Darrell, and apologise for half-trained servant girls.· Indira Varma plays Maya, a saucy servant girl talented in the art of love.· No, he was not, could not be drawn to the little servant girl.· There is, for instance, the inevitable saucy servant girl, played in sprightly fashion by Suzanne Bouchard.· She had only recently arrived in Dublin, a servant girl in the house of Captain and Mrs Lewis.· His bedchamber had access to the servant girls' quarters and to the rooms of adolescent girls upstairs.· I know I am just an ignorant servant girl, aged seventeen, but I do know some Latin.· He is John Proctor, who becomes caught in the madness after his affair with a servant girl played by Winona Ryder.
VERB· How the hell did a man stop being an agent and suddenly become a civil servant?· In Oxford, out of 312 boys, 119 became errand lads, while 110 girls out of 223 became domestic servants.· He became a civil servant in Milan, and died in 1858, aged 74.· At about this time, there arrived in Medmelton a Cornish man seeking work and he became the servant of a farmer.· If his new wife has a child I will become like a servant.· He was relying on the hope that he might, at least, become a servant back in his father's house.· Mary Leapor at some point in her adolescence became a domestic servant.
· She asked the shopkeeper's name so that she would know to whom to send her servant.· Today Claudine sent a servant out to Cholon for me, with the letter.· Dorian sent his servant to fetch the things that Campbell needed, and the two men waited silently.· So they send one of their servants down to force it open, but he never comes back.· Santerre sent for servants and, at his direction, they dragged out a huge log drying in the stables for Yuletide.
WORD FAMILYnounservantserveserverservicedisservicethe servicesservingserveryservicingservilityservitudeadjectiveserviceableservileservingverbserveservice
1someone, especially in the past, who was paid to clean someone’s house, cook for them, answer the door etc, and who often lived in the house: Many young girls became domestic servants.2servant of somebody/something someone who is controlled by someone or something – often used to show disapproval: Are we the servants of computers? → civil servant