WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Serv"ile
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. servile, fr. servus a servant or slave: cf. F. servile. See Serve.]
Definition : 1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience. She must bend the servile knee. Thomson. Fearing dying pays death servile breath. Shak.

2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved. Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! Pope.

3. (Gram.) (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Serv"ile
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : Defn: An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.

(Gram.)
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913