INDENTURED SERVANT Meaning and
Definition
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An "indentured servant" refers to an individual who voluntarily enters into a contract, also known as an indenture, binding themselves to provide labor or services for a specific period of time in exchange for certain benefits or considerations. Historically, the term "indentured servant" often specifically applies to workers who were brought to the American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The indenture agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of the contract, includes provisions regarding the duration of service, the type of work to be performed, and the obligations of both parties involved. In return for their labor, indentured servants typically received necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and sometimes education or skills training.
Indentured servitude was often employed as a means to finance the passage of individuals to the colonies who lacked the financial means to migrate independently. The servant's labor would then repay the cost of their transportation and, in some cases, secure their eventual release from the contract, granting them with their freedom and sometimes even land or goods.
Indentured servants were not considered slaves, as their contracts had an expiration date. However, their status was still one of limited freedom, as they were bound by their contractual obligations and their rights were often dependent on the whims of their owners. While indentured servitude was a prevalent labor system in Colonial America, its prevalence declined significantly with the rise of chattel slavery in the 18th century.
Common Misspellings for INDENTURED SERVANT
- undentured servant
- jndentured servant
- kndentured servant
- ondentured servant
- 9ndentured servant
- 8ndentured servant
- ibdentured servant
- imdentured servant
- ijdentured servant
- ihdentured servant
- insentured servant
- inxentured servant
- incentured servant
- infentured servant
- inrentured servant
- ineentured servant
- indwntured servant
- indsntured servant
- inddntured servant
- indrntured servant
Etymology of INDENTURED SERVANT
The word "indentured servant" dates back to the 17th century and is derived from two components: "indenture" and "servant".
1. "Indenture": This word comes from the Old French word "endenter", which means "to notch" or "to make a jagged edge". In the medieval period, this term was used to describe a written contract or agreement, usually written on a piece of parchment or paper. These contracts were unique because they were not simply signed at the bottom; instead, they were divided into two or more parts with a jagged, irregular cut, ensuring that each party had an original copy.
2. "Servant": This word comes from the Latin "serviens", which means "slave" or "servant".
