好词典

subservient

UK //səbˈsɜː.vi.ənt//US //səbˈsɝː.vi.ənt//

词源

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

adjective

❶ 指人或行为表现出过度顺从或卑躬屈膝的态度,通常为了讨好他人或获得利益。

“The assistant was always subservient to the boss's demands.”

(这位助理总是对老板的要求百依百顺。)

“She refused to adopt a subservient role in the relationship.”

(她拒绝在这段关系中扮演顺从的角色。)

❶ 指某事物处于次要或从属地位,为更重要的目标或系统服务。

“Economic growth should not be subservient to environmental protection.”

(经济增长不应凌驾于环境保护之上。)

“The new policy makes education subservient to political ideology.”

(新政策使教育沦为政治意识形态的附庸。)

同义词:obsequious, servile, submissive, deferential, compliant

常见短语

subservient to — 表示某人或某事物完全服从于另一方的权威或需求。

“The small nation was subservient to its more powerful neighbor.”

(这个小国对其更强大的邻国唯命是从。)