slavishslav‧ish /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/ adjective 
a slavish adherence to the rules—slavishly adverb: not a rule to be slavishly followed in every instance—slavishness noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He was able to manipulate their slavish willingness to serve in the name of patriotism.
- The women's slavish obedience disgusted me.
- Courts also avoid the slavish copying of earlier decisions by the technique of distinguishing cases.
- I am not a slavish supporter of what he has done at the DfEE.
- Nor is Badu in any way a slavish Holiday imitator or even a jazz singer.
- Pope, however, distances himself from those who recommend a slavish adherence to the ancient rules and models.
- Propping up the world's most enduring dictator is a slavish personality cult, and rigid control of the nation.
- The free market had virtues too long eclipsed by slavish conformity to collective ideals that no longer seemed relevant.
Longman Language Activatortoo willing to do what you are told to do
always willing to do what someone tells you to do even if it is unpleasant or they ask you in an unpleasant way: · My father was a violent, demanding man, who expected my mother to be completely submissive.· If you constantly try to make someone happy, you end up becoming submissive, saying yes when you don't really mean it.
informal someone who always agrees with and obeys their employer or leader etc: · It's no good applying for a job with him unless you're happy being a yes-man.· She packed the committees with yes-men and then did just what she liked.
obeying someone too eagerly and showing them too much respect: · The driver asked in a servile tone for more instructions.· He was young and hard-working, though annoyingly servile.
someone who is subservient is always willing to do what people tell them to do and behaves as if they expect to be told what to do: · The waiter had an excessively subservient manner that made us very uncomfortable.subservient to: · What she hated about being a nurse was having to be so subservient to doctors.
: slavish obedience/compliance/conformity etc obeying much too easily without thinking or asking questions: · The women's slavish obedience disgusted me.· He was able to manipulate their slavish willingness to serve in the name of patriotism.
too obedient because you are used to obeying people or because you are afraid not to obey: · It's depressing to see an intelligent, spirited young woman like her turning into a meek and compliant wife.· Patients who are less compliant may be forced to take medication against their will.
when someone does whatever someone else tells them to do, without thinking for themselves about whether it is right or wrong: · With blind obedience, I allowed Victor to organize my life.
someone who is always too willing to do what someone else, especially someone in authority, tells them to do, even when this is wrong: · Many employees regarded Human Resources staff as little more than management lackeys.· Some poeple in the UK were worried that their country might be regarded as simply being a lackey of the US.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a slavish adherence to the rules not a rule to be slavishly followed in every instanceCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES strict adherence to Judaic lawCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
obeying, supporting, or copying someone completely – used to show disapproval: a slavish adherence to the rules not a rule to be slavishly followed in every instance strict adherence to Judaic law· Burying it all under a thick shell of bluster, bullying, slavish adherence to protocol and discipline.· Pope, however, distances himself from those who recommend a slavish adherence to the ancient rules and models.
a slavish adherence to the rules—slavishly adverb: not a rule to be slavishly followed in every instance—slavishness noun [uncountable]