servant

[ sur-vuhnt ]

noun

1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties.
2. a person in the service of another.
3. a person employed by the government:

   a public servant.

servant

/ ˈsɜːvənt /

noun

1. a person employed to work for another, esp one who performs household duties
2. See public servant

Derived Forms

• ˈservant-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• servant·less adjective
• servant·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of servant¹

1175–1225; Middle English < Old French, noun use of present participle of servir to serve; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of servant¹

C13: via Old French, from servant serving, from servir to serve

Example Sentences

“Yes, deputy prime minister,” a civil servant explained: “It is an automatic device to control the internal temperature.”

From New York Times

The commission's report said there was "no bar on individuals who have previously worked for political parties or made political donations becoming civil servants".

From BBC

These may be extreme examples, but the lesson here is that positioning science as the servant of ideology is perilous.

From Los Angeles Times

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, the country’s most senior civil servant, had told all ministers they should “not take part in the public debate.”

From BBC

“The reality is you can’t get anything done without good civil servants,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assistant
• attendant
• helper