servilism
(ˈsɜːvɪlɪz(ə)m)
[f. servile a. + -ism. Cf. F. servilisme.]
1. Systematic servility.
| 1831 Fraser's Mag. IV. 140 [That journal's] truckling, and trimming, and shifting, and debasing servilism to mob opinions. 1831 Westm. Rev. XV. 93 But we are not aware that servilism, and sycophancy,..ought to be considered as essential recommendations in an historian. 1845 Foreign Q. Rev. XXXIV. 277 Twenty years residence in Russia had encrusted Cobenzl with a coating of submissiveness (servilism), that was at times almost comical. |
2. The doctrine which advocates political ‘slavery’.
A hostile designation for anti-Liberal opinions. Cf. servile n. 1.
| 1831 Carlyle Misc. (1840) III. 242 Though calling himself Philosopher, Mr. Taylor..still painfully struggles in the questions of Naturalism and Supernaturalism, Liberalism and Servilism. 1841 Fraser's Mag. XXIII. 146 He who refutes servilism proves nothing for liberalism. |
3. The social system based on the existence of slaves.
| 1880 Congregationalist (U.S.) 17 Nov. (Cent.), The remnants of domination and of servilism [in the southern United States] will soon take themselves hence. |