Words / C1

s-uh-b-SURV-ee-uh-nt/səbˈsɜːviənt/

Subservient means too willing to obey others, or treated as less important: a subservient chorus, subservient copy. Obey (already in the dictionary) is everyday; a chorus is not a finding.

Meaning

Too willing to obey others; treated as less important (from obey, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A subservient “world-leading” chorus is not a finding.”
• “Obey is already in this course. Servile is already in this course. A chorus is branding. A codebook line is methods. Write the raw number; then keep the chorus if the clause still sits on a fact.”

Good to know

Overly obedient; subordinate. Everyday: obey (already in the dictionary). A chorus ≠ a finding.

Near in meaning

servile, obsequious, subordinate

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