好词典

subservience

UK //səbˈsɜː.vi.əns//US //səbˈsɝː.vi.əns//

词源

源自拉丁语 'subservientem'(服从的),由 sub-(在...之下)和 servire(服务)组成,17世纪进入英语。

noun

❶ 指过度顺从或卑躬屈膝的态度,表现为无条件服从他人意志,常带有贬义色彩。

“His subservience to the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable.”

(他对老板的卑躬屈膝让同事们感到不适。)

“The dictator demanded absolute subservience from his people.”

(独裁者要求人民绝对服从。)

同义词:obedience, submissiveness, servility

常见短语

in subservience to — 表示完全服从于某人或某事物,通常带有丧失自主性的负面含义。

“The media acted in subservience to government propaganda.”

(媒体完全服从于政府宣传。)