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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
SERV'ITUDE, n. [L. servitudo or servitus. See Serve.]
1. The condition of a slave; the state of involuntary subjection to a master; slavery; bondage. Such is the state of slaves in America. A large portion of the human race is in servitude.
2. The state of a servant. [Less common and less proper.]
3. The condition of a conquered country.
4. A state of slavish dependence. Some persons may be in love with splendid servitude.
5. Servants, collectively. [Not in use.]
The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the
condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave;
slavery; bondage; hence, a state of slavish dependence.
You would have sold your king to slaughter, A splendid servitude; . . . for he that rises up early, and goe(?) to bed late, only to receive addresses, is really as much abridged in his freedom as he that waits to present one. South. Servants, collectively.
[Obs.]
After him a cumbrous train A right whereby one thing is
subject to another thing or person for use or convenience, contrary to
the common right.
* The object of a servitude is either to suffer something to be done by another, or to omit to do something, with respect to a thing. The easements of the English correspond in some respects with the servitudes of the Roman law. Both terms are used by common law writers, and often indiscriminately. The former, however, rather indicates the right enjoyed, and the latter the burden imposed. Ayliffe. Erskine. E. Washburn. Penal servitude. See under Penal. -- Personal servitude (Law), that which arises when the use of a thing is granted as a real right to a particular individual other than the proprietor. -- Predial servitude (Law), that which one estate owes to another estate. When it related to lands, vineyards, gardens, or the like, it is called rural; when it related to houses and buildings, it is called urban. | ||||||||