BOND SERVANT Meaning and
Definition
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A bond servant, also known as a bondservant or bondslave, refers to an individual who is legally bound to serve their master for a specific period under contractual agreement. This contractual relationship is primarily based on economic and social factors, involving the exchange of labor in return for protection, sustenance, and sometimes education.
In historical contexts, particularly in the ancient world or during periods of enslavement, a bond servant's status was akin to that of a slave. However, unlike slaves who were considered as property, bond servants were generally considered as contracted workers. They typically sold their services to pay off debts, fulfill obligations, or secure their livelihoods under the agreement of servitude. As part of the contractual agreement, bond servants were subject to their master’s authority, following their instructions and fulfilling assigned tasks.
The distinction between bond servants and slaves lies in the limited duration of the servitude and the greater degree of personal agency afforded to bond servants. While slaves often served for life, bond servants usually had a fixed term of servitude, ranging from a few years to several decades. Once their contractual obligations were fulfilled, bond servants gained their freedom and were released from their duties. Their freedom could be either stipulated in the contract or granted by the master as a recognition of their service.
It is important to note that the term "bond servant" may also be used metaphorically or symbolically in some contexts, representing a deep devotion or commitment to a person, cause, or ideology, despite potential limitations or restrictions on personal freedom.
Common Misspellings for BOND SERVANT
- vond servant
- nond servant
- hond servant
- gond servant
- bind servant
- bknd servant
- blnd servant
- bpnd servant
- b0nd servant
- b9nd servant
- bobd servant
- bomd servant
- bojd servant
- bohd servant
- bons servant
- bonx servant
- bonc servant
- bonf servant
- bonr servant
Etymology of BOND SERVANT
The word "bond servant" has its roots in Middle English and comes from the combination of two Old English words: "bond", meaning obligation, contract or pledge, and "servant", referring to a person employed to perform tasks for another. "Bond" is derived from the Old Norse word "bönd", which means householder, peasant or freeholder. It eventually evolved into the meaning of a contractual obligation or duty. The term "bond servant" was commonly used in English in the 16th to 18th centuries to refer to a person who was bound to serve another under a contract or indenture agreement.
Similar spelling words for BOND SERVANT
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