/ səbˈsɜːviənt; NAmE -ˈsɜːrv-/ adjective
1.
subservient (to sb/sth) ( disapproving ) too willing to obey other people :
The press was accused of being subservient to the government.
2.
subservient (to sth) ( formal ) less important than sth else :
The needs of individuals were subservient to those of the group as a whole.
► sub·ser·vi·ence / -əns; NAmE / noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin subservient- subjecting to, complying with, from the verb subservire (see sub- , serve ).