Servant Meaning
Servant Definition & Usage
A person employed to perform domestic duties, such as cleaning, cooking, or serving meals, often in a large house or mansion.
Examples
- "The servant quickly set the table before the guests arrived."
- "She worked as a servant in the grand estate for over 20 years."
- "The butler, a loyal servant, greeted the family as they returned from their trip."
- "During the Victorian era, servants were common in wealthy households."
- "The servant brought in a fresh pot of tea for the mistress of the house."
A person who serves a higher purpose, often in a religious or spiritual sense, such as a servant of God.
Examples
- "She considered herself a servant of God, dedicating her life to helping others."
- "The priest spoke about the importance of being a servant to the community."
- "As a servant of the church, he devoted his time to charitable causes."
- "They prayed, asking for strength to be better servants to their faith."
- "The monk lived a simple life, believing his purpose was to serve others in the name of God."
A person or thing that is in a subservient position or performs an obedient role.
Examples
- "The company saw its employees as mere servants to corporate profits."
- "In some cultures, the state can become a servant to the will of the people."
- "The artist, though famous, was still seen by his critics as a servant to his audience's expectations."
- "She believed that love should not be about being a servant to someone else’s needs."
- "Many argue that the media often acts as a servant to the political elite."
Cultural Context
The word 'servant' has a long history, dating back to feudal and aristocratic societies, where individuals worked in service to a family or household. In medieval Europe, the term was used for various domestic roles, from housekeepers to personal attendants. As social structures evolved, the use of the word has shifted, especially with movements for workers' rights and the diminishing of aristocratic privileges. In modern times, the word has fallen out of favor in many contexts, replaced by terms like 'staff', 'housekeeper', or 'personal assistant'.
The Servant's Secret
Story
The Servant's Secret
In a sprawling manor nestled at the edge of a small town, Eleanor worked as a servant in the household of the wealthy Winthrop family. For over a decade, she had quietly performed her duties — cleaning, cooking, and attending to the family’s every need. Despite the grandeur of the mansion, Eleanor’s life was humble and predictable. She had long accepted her place in the household, always in the background, serving without complaint. One evening, however, Eleanor overheard a conversation that would change everything. The Winthrops were discussing the legacy of their estate, and the youngest son, Edward, mentioned a hidden fortune locked away in a secret room. The servant, ever observant, realized the room in question was behind the very wall of the pantry she cleaned daily. Curiosity gnawed at her, but Eleanor remained true to her role. A servant never questions, she thought. But as days passed, the temptation grew. One evening, after everyone had retired, she ventured into the pantry, her heart pounding. There, hidden beneath an old rug, was the entrance. She had found the secret room. What Eleanor discovered inside wasn’t treasure, but letters — hundreds of letters. They were records of financial deals, land ownership transfers, and dark secrets about the Winthrops' dealings. As a servant, she had always known her place, but now she held power. The information in those letters could change the fate of the family, and yet, Eleanor felt a deep inner conflict. Was it her place to reveal the secrets she had uncovered? Was she merely a servant to the Winthrops, or was she now their master? In the end, Eleanor made her choice. She destroyed the letters and continued her work as she always had. But the knowledge she carried would forever change her perception of service — and her role in the world.
Related Words
