The spelling of the word "make subservient" is fairly straightforward. It begins with the consonant and voiced bilabial plosive /m/, followed by the long vowel sound /eɪ/ represented by the letters "a" and "e" in succession. The next two syllables contain the alveolar consonant /s/, followed by the voiced alveolar fricative /z/. Finally, the word ends with the voiced palatal approximant /j/ and the unstressed vowel sound /ənt/, represented by the letter combination "ie" and the phonetic symbol /ənt/ respectively.
To make subservient refers to the act of placing someone or something in a subordinate or submissive position, typically exerting control or authority over them. It implies the process of overpowering or dominating an individual, group, organization, or even an idea, in a manner that diminishes their autonomy or independence.
When making someone or something subservient, the goal is usually to establish a position of dominance or superiority, ensuring compliance and obedience. This can involve various strategies, such as manipulation, coercion, or even force, to establish control and undermine the individual or entity's ability to act independently or assert their own will.
In interpersonal relationships, making someone subservient can take the form of exerting psychological pressure, emotional abuse, or using intimidation to make the person feel inferior or completely dependent on the dominant individual. In a broader societal context, it can involve systems or structures that maintain power imbalances, like oppressive governments or institutions that suppress the rights and freedoms of their citizens.
The act of making an idea or concept subservient can involve suppressing or disregarding alternative viewpoints, promoting censorship, or manipulating information to serve a particular agenda. This can occur in various contexts, such as politicized issues, where one perspective is privileged, while others are marginalized or silenced.
In essence, making someone or something subservient is an action designed to subordinate, suppress, or control, often resulting in diminished freedom, autonomy, or agency.
The word "make" is derived from the Old English word "macian", which means "to make or create". It has roots in various Old Germanic languages.
The word "subservient" comes from the Latin word "subserviens", which is the present participle of "subservire". "Subservire" is a compound of "sub", meaning "under", and "servire", meaning "to serve". The Latin word "servire" ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*swer-", which means "to watch over, protect, serve".
So, the etymology of "make subservient" combines the Old English word for "make" and the Latin word for "to serve under" to convey the idea of creating or causing something to be subordinate or obedient.