A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Servill(e, Serve(i)ll, Servile, adj. Also: serwile, serv(i)all. [ME and e.m.E. seruyle (Wyclif), seruile (c1430), serual (1447), servylle (c1450), servill (1618), F. servile (c1355 in Larousse), L. servīl-.]
1. Appropriate or proper to a slave.c1590 Fowler I 48/41.
Sche that with hair both cutt and short dois follow so hir lord Was quene of Pontus … With servile clothis and suche attyre Mithridates to serwe c1590 Fowler I 64/179.
So thair I saw what service he and servill death dois prowe … that is infect with lowe 1610 Crim. Trials III 101.
Men quhome ȝe compellit to serue ȝow as slaves in all serueill and slauisch exerceisses
b. Of a war: Involving, or caused by, slaves.c1420 Wynt. iv 1912.
Alsua that tyme in Cyzille Thare ras a suddane were serville [C. serwile, W. cyvill]
2. Of work, labour: Manual, chiefly as forbidden by the Church on days set aside for worship or thanksgiving.(1) 1535 Stewart 33654.
Kirkman suld … use his office as ane man of kirk, No seruiall werkis with his handis wirk(2) 1596 Elgin Rec. II 43.
All personis to convein to the preachingis and that ther be na kynd of pastyme or ony serveill varks 1604 Elgin Rec. II 121.
That Tuyisdaye nixt and Saterday … be obseruit as tuo dayis of humiliation … and no publict serueill vark to be wrocht thereon 1649 Strathendrick 132.
To humbill themselfs in synceritie befor the Lord, and to abstain from servill work the said day 1650 Acts VI ii 809/1.
And for the better observation of the day the Parliament doth … forbid the holding or use of all fairs markets and servile works of men's ordinary callings upon that day
b. Of persons: Belonging to the lower classes in society; of a sort suited to be servants (cf. Servabill adj. 2).1612 Shetland Act in Scotsman (1886) 29 Jan. 7/2.
It sall not be lesum to servile persones not worth … 72 punds Scottis to tak up houssis
3. a. Of feelings: Ignoble, base. b. Of conditions: Implying inferiority.a. 1611 Fugitive Poetry II ii 7/4.
Wrays but his awin fals, faint, or servill shameb. 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 366.
We culd not receave the moneyis … upon sic hurtfull and servile conditiones as is sett doun in the testament
4. Of a part of the body: Subject to the control of another more vital organ; not free to move independently.a1570-86 Maitl. F. 426/3.
Lat seruell menbris smert And bound allane remaine
5. Of an object, or the material of which it is made: Of inferior quality or make.c1475 Wall. x 375.
That seruall stuff [sc. a basnet], and all his othir weid … the nobill suerd throuch ȝeid
