卑屈な
解説 Definition
過度にへりくだり、相手に媚びへつらうような態度を示すさま。奴隷的な。
Servile means too eager to obey or please someone in a way that shows little self-respect. It is often used to criticize behavior toward powerful people, such as a boss or ruler. The word has a negative meaning and suggests weakness or dishonesty.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
serve「仕える」、servant「召使い」、service を知っていれば、servile は「人に仕えすぎて、対等さを失った態度」とつなげると覚えやすい。単なる polite や helpful ではなく、相手に逆らえず、機嫌を取って媚びる感じまで含むのが核。a servile attitude, be servile to the boss のように、権力差のある場面で出やすい。civil とつづりが近いので見間違い注意。
Link it to `serve`, `servant`, and `service`. The idea is not just being polite, but acting too eager to please someone with more power. Remember phrases like `a servile attitude`, and be careful not to confuse it with the similar-looking word `civil`.
例文
His servile attitude toward the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable.
上司への卑屈な態度は同僚たちを不快にさせた。
The courtier maintained a servile demeanor to stay in the king's favor.
その廷臣は王の寵愛を維持するために卑屈な態度を取り続けた。
She refused to adopt a servile manner, even when pressured by authority.
権力から圧力をかけられても、彼女は卑屈な態度をとることを拒んだ。
servile の類義語・関連語
servile の語源・成り立ち Etymology
servileは古フランス語servileを経て、ラテン語servilis「奴隷の」に由来し、語幹はservus「奴隷」。核は「仕える」より「隷属する」で、そこから「自分を低くして従う」感覚が強まり「卑屈な」になった。関連語はservant、service。
Servile came through Old French from Latin servilis, meaning "of a slave," from servus, "slave." The original sense was about being in a state of dependence or bondage, not simply serving. Over time it developed the stronger idea of behaving in an overly obedient or submissive way. Related English words include servant and service.
同じレベルの英単語をもっと
英検1級の一覧へ →外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう