[me.nial] n (14c): a person doing menial work; specif: a domestic servant or retainer
[2]menial adj [ME meynial, fr. meynie household, retinue, fr. OF mesnie, fr. (assumed) VL mansionata, fr. L mansion-, mansio dwelling--more at mansion] (15c) 1: of or relating to servants: lowly
2. a: appropriate to a servant: humble, servile "answered in ~ tones" b: lacking interest or dignity "a ~ task" -- me.nial.ly adv