— helotage , n.
/hel"euht, hee"leuht/ , n.
1. a member of the lowest class in ancient Laconia, constituting a body of serfs who were bound to the land and were owned by the state. Cf. Perioeci, Spartiate .
2. ( l.c. ) a serf or slave; bondman.
[ 1570-80; helotes (pl.) heílotes ]