— subservience, subserviency , n. — subserviently , adv.
/seuhb serr"vee euhnt/ , adj.
1. serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.
2. servile; excessively submissive; obsequious: subservient persons; subservient conduct.
3. useful in promoting a purpose or end.
[ 1625-35; subservient- (s. of subserviens, prp. of subservire to SUBSERVE), equiv. to sub- SUB- + servi-, s. of servire to SERVE + -ent -ENT ]