SEPARATE, SEPARATED, SEPARATELY, SEPARATING, SEPARATION – ADJECTIVES
– able to be separated SUNDERABLE 1885
– separate, distinct; having an existence, position, or status apart SUNDRY c1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
– separate from others by reason of superiority or pre-eminence SINGULAR 1377 obs.
– separate, individual, single SINGULAR c1340 obs.
– separate, individual, special SUNDRILY a900 obs. rare
– separate, separated SUNDERED c1325
– separate, several; distinct, diverse, different SUNDERLY a1225 obs.
– separate; various, varied, sundry SUNDER a1400 obs.
SEPARATE etc. – ADVERBS
– separately, apart from the rest, severally SUNDERLEPES c1020 obs.
– separately, apart, asunder SUNDER a1300 obs. rare
– separately, apart; individually; singly SUNDERLY c888 obs.
– separately, apart; severally, individually SUNDRY c950 obs. exc. Sc.
– separately, asunder SUNDERWISE a1400 obs. rare
– separately, by itself, alone BY ODD c1330 obs.
– separately, individually BY SUNDRIES a1400-50 obs.
– separately, severally, individually SUNDRILY a900 obs.
– that separates; dividing; discriminating, discerning SUNDRY 1564 obs. rare
SEPARATE etc. – NOUNS
– anything that has been separated or scattered from its fellows SCALE; SKAIL 1827 Sc. obs.
– a separation from the flock ABGREGATION 1731 obs.
– a separation or dispersal; a scattering SKAIL a1300 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
– complete separation; a snatching away ABREPTION 1681 obs. rare
– separating the valuable from the worthless GARBLING a1661 obs.
– separation SUNDERMENT 1818 rare
– separation, a cutting off DECISION 1584 obs.
– separation and removal; a being cut off ABSCISSION 1633 obs.
– separation, division, disunion TWINE 1606 obs.
– separation, parting TWINNING c1225 obs. exc. Sc.
– separation, severance DECEPERATION a1450 obs.
– separation, severance SUNDERANCE 1435 rare
– violent separation ABSCISSION 1612
SEPARATE etc. – VERBS
– to be separate, divided; to disappear TO-GO c1000 obs.
– to effect a separation, to sever a connection; to send a person or thing ‘adrift’ or away SLIP THE PAINTER a1700
– to separate by an intervening space or barrier; to keep apart SUNDER 1606 rare
– to separate by force; to pull or tear apart; to break up RACK 1549 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
– to separate or divide into two parts; to cleave asunder TO-CLEAVE c888 obs.
– to separate or part from each other SINGLE 1570-6 now rare
– to separate the valuable from the worthless GARBLE 1650 obs.
– to separate, to break away from; said of an object OBSQUATULATE 19C sl., orig. US
– to separate, to cut off DECIDE 1579 obs. rare
– to separate, to detach, to take away TWIST c1440 obs.
– to separate, to disjoin, to disunite, to sever, to part, to divide TWIN c1230 obs. exc. Sc.
– to separate; to disperse RENDER 1826 Eng. dial. obs.
– to separate, to disperse; said of a meeting, congregation, etc. of people SCALE 1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
– to separate, to disperse, to scatter TO-DREVE a900 obs.
– to separate, to dissever DECEPER 1547 obs.
– to separate, to divide TO-TWIN c1200 obs.
– to separate, to divide into two parts TWEME c1023 obs.
– to separate, to divide; to cause difference between DIFFER 1814 Sc.
– to separate, to fall away; said of things ABSQUATULATE 1842 Amer. sl.
– to separate, to loosen, to remove HEMO 1938 Hawaii
– to separate, to part TWINE c1535 Sc.
– to separate, to part combatants RID 1790 Eng. dial.
– to separate, to part from SKILL a1200 obs.
– to separate, to put apart TO-DIGHT 1340 obs.
– to separate, to put asunder, to divide TO-DO a839 obs.
– to separate, to remove SKAIL a1833 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. rare
– to separate, to scatter, to disperse SCALE-SET 1897 Sc.
– to separate, to sever DEAL a1000 obs.
– to separate, to sever TO-DEAL c888 obs.
– to separate, to sever by division; to divide a part from, or cut it out of a whole CANTON 1653 arch. or obs.
SEPTEMBER – NOUNS
– Labour Day (the first Monday in September) CARNY’S CHRISTMAS 1981 US sl.
SEQUEL – NOUNS
– a sequel, anything that comes after; an afterthought AFTERCLAP 1816 Eng. dial.
– a sequel, a result SUITE c1800 rare
– a sequel to a literary work SUITE 1839 rare
SEQUENCE – NOUNS
– a sequence, succession SUIT 1412-20 obs. rare
SEQUESTER, SEQUESTERED – ADJECTIVES
– sequestered and sheltered SEQUELTERED Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
SEQUESTER etc. – VERBS
– to sequester HIVE 1774 US
SERENADE – NOUNS
– a noisy celebration or mock serenade for newlyweds CHARIVARI; CHEVRARAI; CHIVERIE; SHIVAREE 1843 Amer. dial.
– a noisy celebration or mock serenade for newlyweds SKIMELTON ; SKIMMELTON; SKIMMERTON; SKIMMITON 1868 Amer. dial.
SERENADE – VERBS
– to serenade a newly-married couple with horns, bells, drums, etc. CHARIVARI 1890 Amer. dial.
– to serenade a newly-married couple with horns, bells, drums, etc. SHIVAREE 1890 Amer. dial.
SERENE – ADJECTIVES
– serene, tranquil, calm, placid, quiet, still, peaceful TRANQUILLOUS 1638 obs. rare
SERF – NOUNS, PERSON
– a serf, a husbandman, a peasant BOUNDE c1320 obs.
SERIES – NOUNS
– a series of events that return to the beginning DAISY CHAIN 1954 US sl.
SERIOUS, SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSNESS – ADJECTIVES
– excessively serious or solemn; melancholy SOLEMNCHOLY 1855
– half serious, half jocular; blending jokes and serious matters JOCOSERIOUS M17
– serious DINKUM 1962 Aust. sl.
– serious SAIRIOUS 1871 Sc.
– serious VICIOUS 1980s African-American & teen sl.
– serious, considerable, sad, thoroughgoing SAIR 1776 Sc.
– serious, doleful, woebegone UNLAIGHT Bk1905 Eng. dial. obs.
– serious, in deadly earnest IN NETTLE-EARNEST 1838 Sc.
– serious, in earnest FAIR DINKUM 1934 Aust. sl.
– serious, solemn DEEDY 1895 chiefly Eng. dial.
– serious, solemn SAIRIE; SAIRY; SARRIE 1808 Sc. obs.
– serious, solemn SULLEN 1583 obs.
– serious; soulful INTENSE 1879 colloq.
– serious, weighty, important DEEP 1596 obs.
– serious, wise, thoughtful OLD 1896 Eng. dial.
– very serious; aggressive DARK 1980s Black British sl.
SERIOUS etc. – ADVERBS
– seriously, extremely, intensely MORTALLY 1930 Amer. dial.
– seriously, fatally CAPITALLY 1606
– seriously, gravely HEAVY 1563 obs.
– seriously, honestly; really; truthfully FAIR DINKUM 1894 Aust. sl.
– seriously, in reality, earnestly FOR FAIR 1853 Eng. dial.
– with deep seriousness, solemnly DEEPLY c1300 obs.
SERIOUS etc. – NOUNS
– a look or manner characterized by single-minded seriousness, dedication, or determination GAME FACE 1950 US colloq.
– a reminder of serious or saddening things in the midst of enjoyment; a source of gloom or depression A SKELETON AT THE FEAST 1857
– seriousness, gravity SADNESS Bk1904 Eng. dial.
– seriousness, profundity; esp. of speech or writing PONDERITY 1656 obs. rare
– seriousness, profundity; esp. of speech or writing PONDEROSITY 1589
– something serious or impressive RATTLER 1847 sl.
SERIOUS etc. – NOUNS, PERSON
– a serious minded woman HORN-RIMMED FEMME Bk1942 Amer. college sl.
– a serious or sedate person SOBERSIDES 1705
SERIOUS etc. – PHRASES
– implies that the speaker is being absolutely serious; expresses sincerity I KID YOU NOT 1914 sl., orig. US
– when matters become serious WHEN THE BAND BEGINS TO PLAY 1892
SERIOUS etc. – VERBS
– to look or be serious PULL A KITE 19C sl.
– to make more serious, to aggravate AGGREGE a1382 obs.
– to make more serious; to aggravate AGGRIEVE a1425 obs.
– to talk seriously MUMP M19 sl.
SERMON, SERMONIZE – NOUNS
– a hatred for sermons HOMILOPHOBIA Bk1991
– an old sermon preached over again HASHY 1836 Sc.
– a sermon, discourse; talk, conversation SERMOCINATION 1514 obs.
– a short sermon; a piece of writing; a statement or story written SCRIVE 1894 Sc.
– a tedious sermon PREACHIFICATION 1843 colloq.
SERMON etc. – VERBS
– to deliver a tedious sermon; to moralise wearisomely PREACHIFY 1775 colloq.
– to furbish up an old sermon NEW COLLAR AND CUFF Bk1902 clerical usage
– to say “Amen’ and grunt frequently during the sermon SCOTCH THE PREACHER 1890 Amer. dial.
– to sermonize, to lecture EARWIG M19 sl.
SERPENT – NOUNS (also see SNAKE)
– a fabulous reptile, also called a ‘cockatrice,’ alleged to be hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg; ancient authors stated that its hissing drove away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal BASILICOCK 1340 obs.; BASILISK a1300
– an imaginary species of serpent SIREN 1340 obs.
– a serpent ADDER c950 obs.
– a serpent EINATTER 1851 Eng. dial.
– a serpent that darts on its prey JACULE 1572 obs. rare
SERVANT – ADJECTIVES
– being under another servant; it being an ancient custom among the Romans, that the chief servant took his portion of corn from the master, the under servant from him SUFFARRANEOUS 1658 obs. rare
– belonging to servants FAMULARY 1840 rare
SERVANT – NOUNS
– a servants’ hall SANKEY-CHAMBER Bk1904 Eng. dial.
– servants’ talk PANTRY POLITICS L19 UK society sl.
– the housekeeper’s room in a large establishment PUG’S HOLE 1847 colloq.
– the housekeeper’s room in a large establishment PUG’S PARLOUR 1847 colloq.
– the office or position of butler to a monarch, nobleman, etc. BUTLERAGE 1487 rare
SERVANT – NOUNS, PERSON
– a Black domestic worker BEGONIA BROOM Bk1972 Black homosexual sl.
– a Black female servant or domestic employee GIRL 1835 orig. US usage, later chiefly S. Afr., derogatory & offensive
– a Black footman BLACK-TEAPOT Bk1889 UK sl.
– a Black maid SCHVARTZE; SCHVARTZER 1961 sl., chiefly US, rather derogatory
– a Black maid SCHWARTZE; SCHWARTZER 1961 sl., chiefly US, rather derogatory
– a Black manservant BLACK BOY 1594 obs.
– a boy hired as a servant CADDAY Bk1997 Ireland
– a boy hired as a servant CADDY 1754
– a butler; a somler SUMMELER 1841 arch.
– a butler; one who pours out drink BIRLE a1000 obs.
– a butler; one who pours out drink BIRLER c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
– a cavalier servant TAME CAT Bk1892
– a chambermaid, esp. a girl or woman whose job it is to make the beds and straighten up the rooms each day on a ship, at a motel, or the like CABIN GIRL Bk1974 Amer. sl.
– a chambermaid who lay in the bed a while to warm it for the intending occupant SCOTCH WARMING-PAN 1678 sl.
– a chamber-woman, a lady’s maid CAMERIST 1838 nonce word
– a coloured domestic SAMOA-SAMOA Bk1972 homosexual sl.
– a confidential maid SUIVANTE 1698 obs.
– a daily help, a charwoman, a maidservant DAILY 1920s colloq.
– a daily help (servant) DAILY BODY c1918 colloq.
– a dishonest female domestic who, after learning where the household valuables are stored, paves the way for her outside confederates to lay hold of the prize and carry it away PACKING MOLLY 1881 US sl.
– a domestic servant ALL-ABOUT-GIN 1962 Aust.
– a domestic servant SPIDER-BRUSHER 1841 US sl.
– a domestic servant, esp. a menial kitchen servant; later, (at Cambridge and Durham Universities) a college servant, esp. one who attends on one or more undergraduates GYP 1676 colloq.
– a domestic servant who has charge of his master’s clothes, furniture, and (often) his ready money BEARER 1757 India
– a domestic servant who lays the table and waits at meals TABLE-MAID 1895
– a faithful, devoted old servant ADAM Bk1922
– a fellow servant HOUSE-FELLOW B1900 Eng. dial.
– a fellow-servant; a bedfellow NEIGHBOUR 1871 Sc.
– a female attendant; a handmaid HAND-WOMAN a1300 obs.
– a female butler BUTLERESS 1614
– a female domestic employee; a maidservant GIRL-OF-ALL-WORK 1831 hist.
– a female domestic servant, esp. a maid-of-all-work SCIVEY; SKIVEY; SKIVVY 1902 sl., mainly derogatory
– a female kitchen-maid SCODGIE-MAID 1822 Sc.
– a female kitchen-maid SCOGIE-LASS 1786 Sc.
– a female personal attendant or servant HANDMAID 1382 arch.
– a female personal attendant or servant HANDMAIDEN a1300 literary arch.
– a female servant ADMINISTRESS 1483 obs. rare
– a female servant CAB 19C Sc.
– a female servant CINDER-GARBLER 18C sl.
– a female servant LASS-QUEAN 1817 Sc.
– a female servant SARVENT-WENCH Bk1886 Eng. dial.
– a female servant WAITER-WENCH 1890 Eng. dial.
– a female servant; a maidservant GIRZIE 1828 Sc.
– a female servant or domestic employee’ a maid; now generally, a female employee; often with the implication of social inferiority GIRL 1668
– a female servant, or personal attendant WAITING-WOMAN 1565 now arch.
– a female servant who does all kinds of housework MAID-OF-ALL-WORK 1809
– a female varlet VARLETESS 1748
– a footman BONE-PICKER L18 sl.
– a footman BONE-POLISHER c1800 sl.
– a footman GENTLEMAN OF THE SHOULDER-KNOT Bk1920
– a footman RAINBOW E19 sl.
– a footman SCARLET RUNNER M19 sl.
– a footman acting as servant or attendant to a horseman VALET 1591 military usage, rare
– a footman; a flunkey JEAMES 1845 sl.
– a footman, esp. one who wears breeches made of yellow plush; also, an underling; a lackey YELLOW-PLUSH 1841 obs.
– a footman, lackey, or manservant; in later use, a college-servant at Trinity College, Dublin SKIP 1698-1700
– a general servant SUKEY Bk1904 sl.
– a general servant; a maid-of-all-work GENERAL 1884 colloq. hist.
– a gentleman’s personal attendant; a valet VALET-DE-SHAM 1776
– a gentleman’s personal attendant; a valet VALET DE SHAMBER 1791
– a gentleman’s personal attendant; a valet VARLET OF THE CHAMBER 1567 obs.
– a gentleman’s personal attendant; a valet; one who waits on a nobleman or gentleman in his bedchamber, and dresses and undresses him VALET-DE-CHAMBRE 1646
– a gentleman’s servant out of livery; an inferior servant employed to do odd jobs HALLION Bk1905 Sc.
– a housemaid GAL NYMPH c1880 Winchester College usage, obs.
– a housemaid GALLERY NYMPH c1880 Winchester College usage, obs.
– a housemaid LADY OF THE BROOM 1793
– a housemaid UP-AND-DOWN 1900s sl.
– a housemaid; a skivvy MOP-SQUEEZER 1578 sl. obs.
– a humble servant or subordinate; one devoted to the service of another VASSAL c1500
– a kind of bond-servant who carried kelp and did all the hard work SCALLAG; SKALLAG 1793 Sc. obs.
– a kitchen maid; a drudge SLUT 1664 rare
– a lackey LACKET 1523 obs. rare
– a lackey, a footboy, a footman; one who has to skip over the ‘kennel’s or gutters SKIP-KENNEL 1668 obs.
– a lady’s maid BOWER-WOMAN Bk1911 Sc.
– a lady’s maid LADY’S WOMAN 1748
– a lady’s maid TIRING-WOMAN 1732 arch.
– a lady’s maid; a female servant or attendant ABIGAIL 1616 arch. & hist.
– a lady’s maid; a personal attendant WARDROBE-MAID 1865
– a lady’s maid; a woman who assists at a lady’s toilet TIRE-MAID 1871
– a lady’s maid; a woman who assists at a lady’s toilet TIRE-WOMAN 1615 arch.
– a lazy servant; ‘he, that when his Mayster hath any thing to do, he will hide him out of the way’ SIMON SOON GONE c1560 sl.
– a (liveried) servant, a footman, a valet, a menial LACKEY; LACQUEY 1529
– a lower servant TAG 1857servants’ usage
– a low-ranking servant (usually a boy), esp. one employed as an assistant or apprentice to a more experienced servant; frequently with qualification indicating place of work, as ‘page of the kitchen’, etc. PAGE c1325 obs.
– a maid NAN 1596 colloq.
– a maid, a ‘kitchen mechanic’ K.M. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
– a maid; anyone who looks after the home KEEP-UP 1970s African-American sl.
– a maid in waiting; a female attendant; orig. a young lady of gentle birth, as maid of honour or waiting-woman to a lady of rank DAMSEL c1314 obs.
– a maid-of-all-work; a slatternly general maid MARCHIONESS 1883
– a maid or housekeeper BIDDY 1924 Amer. sl.
– a maidservant LASS 1788 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
– a maidservant QUEAN 1818 Sc.
– a maidservant QUINE 1818 Sc.
– a maidservant VAISHLE Bk1866 Sc.
– a maidservant VASSAL 1866 Sc.
– a maidservant, a servant-girl LASSIE 1889 Sc.
– a maidservant assisting both the cook and the housemaid TWEENEY; TWEENIE; TWEENY 1888
– a maidservant, a sweetheart, or a mistress JUG 1569 rare
– a maidservant who assists both the cook and the housemaid BETWEEN GIRL 1891
– a maidservant who assists both the cook and the housemaid BETWEEN-MAID 1890
– a maidservant who assists both the cook and the housemaid BETWEEN SERVANT 1890
– a maid, wife, or widow TANNIKIN 1605 sl.
– a male servant GUTTERSNIPE L19 UK tramps’ sl., derogatory
– a male servant JOHN 1576 colloq. rare
– a male servant, esp. an attendant on a Highland chief; a Highlander GILLIE; GILLY 1705 Sc. obs.
– a male servant or attendant; a groom MOZO 1811 chiefly Latin American
– a male servant or attendant; a menial HARLOT a1300 obs.
– a male servant who waits or attends upon his employer or on an official WAITING-MAN 1518 obs.
– a man in the service of, or in attendance upon, a person of high rank or an official; a male servant or attendant in a royal or noble household; a yeoman YOUNG MAN 1362 obs.
– a man of lower rank employed as a household servant; a groom, a footman, a servitor WAITER a1483 obs.
– a man or lad acting as a servant or attendant; a menial, a groom VARLET 1456 now arch.
– a man or lad acting as a servant or attendant; a menial, a groom VARLETTO 1598 obs.
– a manservant HANDMAN 1754 Eng. dial. obs.
– a manservant JARREHOE Bk1896 Wellington College usage
– a manservant TAY-BOY; TEA-BOY 1848 Ireland
– a manservant; a valet MAN a1300
– a manservant in livery, a pageboy BOY IN BUTTONS 1842 rare
– a manservant performing duties chief relating to the person of his master; a gentleman’s personal attendant; in ancient times was used to signify a young gentleman of good descent or quality; and afterwards it was applied to the rank of yeoman VALET 1567
– a manservant, usually in livery; a pageboy BUTTON BOY 1844 obs.
– a menial servant TEASE a1790 sl.
– a menial servant; a common drudge HACK a1700
– a menial servant; a common drudge; a person whose services may be hired for any kind of work required of him HACKNEY 1546 obs.
– a menial servant; a drudge JACKAL a1688
– a menial servant; a drudge; a slave PACK-HORSE 1594
– an assigned servant SIGNED SERVANT 1830 Aust. colloq.
– a native servant who brings the early morning tea CHAR-WALLAH c1930 services sl., India
– an inferior servant SUBSERVANT 1661 obs. rare
– an inferior servant in a great house GALLEPYN 1825 Sc.
– an inferior servant in a great house GALOPIN 1820 Sc. obs.
– an insubordinate servant BAWD-PHYSIC; BAWDY-PHYSIC c1561 UK sl.
– an Irish maidservant BIDDY 1600
– an obedient servant; one under authority; a subordinate OBEISANT 1475 obs.
– an officer belonging to his Majesty’s pantry YEOMAN OF THE MOUTH a1700
– a non-resident maidservant employed during the morning only MORNING-GIRL 1921 hist.
– an ungrateful servant INGRATUS a1700 UK sl.
– an unskilled kitchen or domestic help SLUSHIE; SLUSHY M19
– an upper servant in a large house, etc. PUG c1840 sl.
– an upper servant who attends on a lady in her chamber WAITING GENTLEWOMAN 1599
– a pageboy BUTTONS 1848 colloq.
– a parlour-maid BEN-A-HOOSE-WOMAN Bk1911 Sc.
– a personal servant; an attendant upon a person of importance, forming part of his retinue and employed to execute his orders SATELLITE a1548
– a personal servant or attendant WALLIE; WALLY 1816 Sc.
– a person who brings meat to table ; hence, the official title of the steward of a king’s or nobleman’s household DAPIFER 1636
– a principal servant; the chief drover in charge of a herd of cattle on the road TOPSMAN 1825 Eng. dial.
– a servant ROGUE L16 obs., derogatory
– a servant SARRANT 1825 Eng. dial. obs.
– a servant SARVANT Bk1877 Eng. & Amer. dial.
– a servant SARVENT Bk1886 Eng. dial.
– a servant ZARVUNT Bk1886 Eng. dial.
– a servant, a bondslave MANCIPLE 1387 obs.
– a servant, a bondsman BANSMAN 1879 Sc.
– a servant, a drudge, an odd-job man LARY 1825 Sc. obs.
– a servant, a groom, an attendant WARLOT 1525 Sc.
– a servant, a lackey MARQUESS OF MARROWBONES L16 Brit. sl.
– a servant, a lackey MARQUIS OF MARROWBONES L16 sl.
– a servant, an attendant, a functionary ADMINISTER 1547 obs.
– a servant; an officer BEDYNER Bk1855 obs.
– a servant, an underling MYRON a1450 obs. rare
– a servant, an underling; an inferior; a lazy servant-boy UNDERLOUT a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
– a servant, a serf NAIF Bk1841 Sc.
– a servant, a serving-man VADELECT 1586 obs.
– a servant, a serving-man VADLET 1861 arch.
– a servant, a subordinate YOUNGER c1000 obs.
– a servant; a subservient person BITCH 1991 US sl.
– a servant at an inn who pulled off the guests’ boots BOOT-CATCH 1775 obs.
– a servant attending upon one; an attendant HANDSERVANT 1578 obs.
– a servant, a waiter TOM E18 sl.
– a servant deprived of the power of speech, usually deliberately; esp. one who serves a Turkish sultan MUTE 1600 hist.
– a servant girl GAL c1850 colloq.
– a servant girl MOLLY 1881 sl.
– a servant girl WENCH L16
– a servant girl, a maid MAIDEN 1876 Sc. & Eng. dial.
– a servant (in a private house) whose particular duty it is to wait upon those seated at table WAITER 1528 obs.
– a servant maid MOLL SLAVEY 1789 UK sl.
– a servant maid, from the wages formerly given to maid servants, which was commonly six pounds SIX-POUNDER 1785 obs.
– a servant of a rank next below a squire; a person of middling rank YEMAN Bk1855 obs.
– a servant of all work MAN-OF-ALL-WORK 1830
– a servant of all work; a drudge DROIL 1579 obs.
– a servant of all work; a servile follower or attendant MAN FRIDAY 1887
– a servant of the bedchamber BEDCHAMBER-MAN 1643
– a servant of the bedchamber BEDCHAMBER-WOMAN 1833
– a servant; one who represents another SLUMGULLION B1900 Amer. sl.
– a servant or attendant in a royal or noble household, usually of a superior grade, ranking between a sergeant and a groom, or between a squire and a page YEOMAN a1377
– a servant or attendant to a knight or man-at-arms CUSTRELING a1556 obs.
– a servant or attendant to a knight or man-at-arms CUSTRON a1425 obs.
– a servant or attendant to a knight or man-at-arms; esp. one who is a member of man-at-arm’s lance, and is armed with a custil or coutel (knife or dagger) CUSTREL 1474
– a servant or country wench; a slut, a slattern MALKIN; MAWKIN 1586 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
– a servant or employee who is hard-working or obedient only when observed by his or her master or employer EYE-SERVANT a1555 rare; EYE-SERVER a1626 rare
– a servant or labourer of any age or race BOY 1839 S. Afr.
– a servant responsible for carrying a Highland chief across a ford, stream, etc. GILLIE-CASFLUE; GILLIE-CASFLUICH 1754 hist. rare
– a servant responsible for supervising the wine cellar or serving wine or other drink, sometimes as cup-bearer to a monarch or nobleman; later, a (male) head servant, esp. in a large household, whose chief responsibilities include managing the wine cellar and dining arrangements, supervising other servants, and greeting visitors BUTLER a1300 obs.
– a servant slave BOY 1764 Amer. dial.
– a servant to the mistress; a workman who toadies to the boss ARSE-WIPER 20C colloq.
– a servant wearing a grey powdered wig MOULDY-PATE Bk1867 sl.
– a servant who attends to a hackney HACKNEY-MAN 1362 obs.
– a servant who awaits a confirmatory look from the master or mistress before acting EYE-WAITER 1742 obs. rare
– a servant who carried the Chief’s armour GILLIE-MORE 1832 Sc. obs.
– a servant who follows his master closely enough to be aware of his master’s breaking of wind; a footman FART-CATCHER 1785 Brit.
– a servant who has the entire management of his master’s affairs FACTOTUM 1824
– a servant who has the principal charge, other servants being subject to his orders TAPSMAN Bk1825 Sc.
– a servant who is more far-seeing than his master BALAAM’S ASS Bk1822
– a servant who removed a person’s boots for cleaning BOOT-CATCHER Bk1911 Sc.
– a servant who removed a person’s boots for cleaning BOOT-DIGHTER Bk1911 Sc.
– a servant whose duties are general rather than limited to a particular sphere; a maid-of-all-work GENERAL SERVANT 1725
– a servant who was recruited from the Magdalen home for ‘fallen women’ in Blackfriars Road, Southwark MAGDALEN MARM L19 sl.
– a servant who was to hand his mistress to the coach, and walk before her bareheaded; in later times, she leaned upon his arm GENTLEMAN-USHER 1485
– a servant woman NECESSARY WOMAN 1679-88 arch.
– a serving-man, a groom; esp. a young man or boy servant GARCION; GARSON a1300 obs.
– a serving-man, attendant; a man of low birth and position; a varlet LAD c1300 obs.
– a serving-man or male attendant JACK 1836-7
– a smartly-liveried boy acting as groom or footman; formerly often provided with standing-room on a small platform behind the carriage, and a strap to hold on by; generally, an outdoor boy-servant TIGER c1817 sl. obs.
– a superior female servant in personal attendance on a lady WAITING-MAID 1561
– a temporary domestic help ACCOMMODATER 1902 US rare
– a too humble servant; a servile attendant JACK-HOLD-MY-STAFF 1625 obs.
– a trusted servant TRUSTY TROUT c1661 sl. obs.
– a valet GENT’S GENT 1920s sl.
– a valet GENTLEMAN’S GENT 1920s sl.
– a valet GENTLEMAN’S GENTLEMAN 1725
– a valet WALLET Bk1825 Sc.
– a valet ,a gentleman’s servant ANDREW 1700 obs. rare
– a valet, a personal attendant; in ancient times was used to signify a young gentleman of good descent or quality; and afterwards it was applied to the rank of yeoman VALECT 1610 arch. or obs.
– a valet or an ensign RAG-CARRIER a1754 nonce word, contemptuous usage
– a valet or dresser; a man who assists at the toilet TIRE-MAN 1711 obs.
– a waiting-maid, a handmaid WAITRESS c1586 obs. rare
– a waiting-woman WAITER 1639 obs. rare
– a woman in charge of her mistress’s wardrobe WARD-WOMAN 1831 arch.
– a young male servant or employee, esp. on a farm LAD 1721 Sc.
– servants and operatives HELP Bk1905 Amer. dial.
– servants, liveried footmen, and all other hangers-on upon the nobility and gentry CADS OF THE ARISTOCRACY Bk1890 sl.
– servants of servants; girls who go from house to house doing the lowest kitchen work BLACK JAUDY 1843 Sc.
– servants who work for the ‘upper ten thousand’ (social elite) UPPER TEN SET L19 sl.
– the housemaid in a farm-house, who has no work in the dairy, etc. INWARD MAID Bk1902 Eng. dial.
– the lowest menials of a royal or noble household, who had charge of pots and pans and other kitchen utensils, and rode in the wagons conveying these during journeys from one residence to another; the scullions and kitchen-knaves BLACK-GUARD 1535 obs.
– the servants in a farmhouse; formerly also they were called the wenches GALS Bk1888 Eng. dial.
– the servants of a house or establishment; the household FAMILY a1400 obs.
– the servants, the folk of the hall, kitchen, or common room HA’-FOLK; HALL-FOLK 1786 Sc. (ha’ = hall)
– the servant who stays home on the farm on Sunday to prepare dinner and feed and water the cattle KAIL-BAILLIE a1838 Sc. obs.
– the servant who supplies an establishment with water, which he carries in a skin slung on his back BEASTY; BHEESTIE; BHEESTY 1781 India
– the stereotype of a domestic Black servant or slave WILLY 19C US sl.
– varlets collectively; a number or crowd of attendants or menials VARLETRY 1606
SERVANT – NOUNS, PERSON, OTHER
– a woman who kept a register office for servants WADDLER-WIFE; WADLER-WIFE Bk1855 Eng. dial., obs.
– the young woman or girl upon whom a domestic servant, esp. a maidservant, waits or attends YOUNG LADY 1608 rare
SERVANT – PHRASES
– I am not your servant I’M NOT YOUR BUM BOY Bk1998 NZ sl.
SERVANT – VERBS
– to be in attendance, as a servant DANGLE M18 sl.
– to do a butler’s work BUTTLE 1901 jocular usage
– to do service as a lackey, esp. as a running footman; to run on errands, to do menial service; often followed by ‘after’, ‘by’, ‘to’, ‘upon’, ‘it’ LACKEY 1568 obs.
– to do the work of a servant DO FOR 1844 sl.
– to do the work of a servant SCIVEY; SKIVEY; SKIVVY 1931 sl.
– to perform menial offices in the servants’ hall of large family SANK 1855 Eng. dial. obs.
– to take home purloined food; said of a domestic servant TOTE THE CROOKED ARM 1984 Amer. dial.
– to take home, surreptitiously or as an acknowledged perquisite, leftover food or others goods from one’s employer; said of a domestic servant TOTE 1923 Amer. dial.; TOTE OFF 1905 Amer. dial.
SERVE, SERVING – ADJECTIVES
– having the attribute of serving FAMULATIVE 1678 obs. rare
SERVE etc. – VERBS
– to serve FAMULATE 1623 obs.
– to serve SARROW 1818 Eng. dial.
– to serve diligently BESERVE a1300 obs.
– to serve, to serve out; to treat SAIR 1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
SERVICE – NOUNS
– service; subjection, subordination, servitude VASSALAGE 1595
– service; subjection, subordination, servitude VASSALRY 1594
SERVICE – NOUNS, PERSON
– a person devoted to the service of another VASSAL c1500
SERVICEABLE – ADJECTIVES
– serviceable, advantageous, useful OPPORTUNE 1432-50 obs.
– serviceable, helpful LASTFUL c1000 obs. rare
– serviceable; said of things STALWORTH c897 obs.
– serviceable, useful; that may be used UTIBLE 1623 obs.
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