servilenessn.
/ˈsəːvʌɪlnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈsərv(ə)lnəs/, /ˈsərˌvaɪlnᵻs/ rare.
The state or quality of being servile; servility.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > servility > [noun]
fawninga1350
submission?a1439
overlowness1496
servility1573
servilenessa1594
obsequency1595
obsequiousness1613
cringing1617
slavishnessa1620
vernility1623
servulating1637
suppleness1638
sneakinga1657
subserviency1669
fawningness1672
subservience1680
cringingness1695
truckling1820
obsequience1830
flunkeyism1831
servilism1831
spanielship1832
toadyism1840
flunkeydom1850
oleaginousness1853
vassalism1854
toadying1863
grovel1892
obsequity1892
crawlsomeness1900
serfishness1906
oleosity?1920
ass-kissing1936
a1594 R. Greenham Two Learned & Godly Serm. (1595) i. sig. C2v In the one, there is chyldishnesse to speake without aduice; in the other, is seruilenesse, to be mooued with nothyng but present feare.
1655 R. Boyle Let. 14 Sept. in Corr. (2001) I. 191 Much of what you & I had bin inform'd of concerning the Servilenes & Disaffection to reall Learning of that University [sc. Oxford] may perchance have bin true when the Informers liv'd there.
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility vi. 243 Humility will despise no man..for the servileness of his condition in being our slave or servant.
1834 Indiana Jrnl. 5 July There is a servileness in manner and a recklessness in matter about them, which can leave but little doubt..as to their authorship.
1915 M. Barranco Mexico i. 16 He is honest, loyal, and easily managed, docile and obedient, sometimes to the point of servileness.
1980 Pennsylvania Mag. Hist. & Biogr. 104 462 It is quite easy to paint the anthracite miner in the quasi-medieval hue of servileness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1594