Pronunciation: [wɒz sˈɜːva͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the phrase "was servile" is /wʌz ˈsɜːrvaɪl/. The word "was" is spelled with a "w" and "a" followed by a "z" sound represented by the letter "z". "Servile" is spelled with three syllables: "sur" with a short "u" sound, "vile" with a long "i" sound, and "əl" representing the unstressed final syllable. This phrase means that someone or something showed excessive willingness to please or obey others.
"Was servile" refers to a past tense variation of the adjective "servile." The term "servile" is used to describe attitudes, behaviors, or actions that exhibit an excessively submissive, compliant, or subservient nature. It suggests a tendency to blindly follow orders or cater to the desires, commands, or expectations of others without questioning or independent thinking. A person who is described as "was servile" typically demonstrates an inclination to prioritize the interests or needs of others over their own, often disregarding personal values or beliefs in favor of pleasing those in authority or attempting to avoid conflict.
This adjective is commonly used to describe individuals or behavior that mimic the characteristics associated with a servant or subordinate. Examples of servile actions may include meekly accepting unfair treatment or exploitation, eagerly carrying out every request without hesitation or critical evaluation, and generally lacking assertiveness or autonomy in decision-making processes.
The phrase "was servile" suggests a temporary state or condition of servility in the past, indicating that an individual or their behavior exhibited these submissive qualities during a specific period. It highlights a change or progression in one's character or approach, possibly implying that the individual has since developed a more independent or assertive disposition, overcome their servile tendencies, or undergone personal growth towards a more self-assured and confident demeanor.
The phrase "was servile" does not have a definitive etymology, as it is a combination of two words.
1. "Was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", which comes from the Old English word "wæs" and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language.
2. "Servile" is an adjective derived from the Latin word "servilis", meaning "of a slave" or "slavish". The Latin term has its roots in the noun "servus", which means "slave". The word "servus" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ser-, meaning "to protect" or "to watch over".
When combined, the phrase "was servile" represents a past state of being or an attribute associated with servitude.
