slave

Word origin

Inherited from Middle English sclave, from Old French sclave, from Medieval Latin sclavus (“slave”), from Late Latin Sclavus (“Slav”), traditionally assumed to be because Slavs were often forced into slavery in the Middle Ages. The Latin word is from Byzantine Greek Σκλάβος (Sklábos); see that entry and Slav for more. Displaced native Old English þēow. Thrall and bondsman/bondswoman, however, remain common synonyms. Doublet of ciao and Slav.

Used in a sentence

• “Art thou the ſlaue that with thy breath haſt kill'd / Mine innocent child?”

• “a slave to passion, to strong drink, or to ambition”

• “Slave to the rhythm! / Keep it up, keep it up! / Never stop! Never stop!”

Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0