colonus

American  

[kuh-loh-nuhs] / kəˈloʊ nəs /

noun

plural

coloni

1. a serf in the latter period of the Roman Empire or in the early feudal period.

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Etymology

Origin of colonus

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin colōnus “inhabitant of a colony, tenant farmer, farmer,” derivative of colere “to inhabit, till, cultivate”; cf. cult, cultivate

Example Sentences

It has been taken to denote two degrees of servitude—the predial dependence of a colonus and the personal dependence of a true slave.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

Non hic colonus domicilium habeo, sed topiarii in morem, hinc inde florem vellico, ut canis Nilum lambens.

From The Anatomy of Melancholy by Burton, Robert

As the colonus stood higher than the slave, so did the pauper, socially at any rate, free to support himself, exceed the colonus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various

"Neither colonus nor casarius nor the son of such is he, nor even esne, whose trade might win him privileges."

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Kinney, Margaret West

Sequor hunc, Lucanus an Appulus anceps; Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque colonus.

From The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Complete by Suetonius Tranquillus, Gaius