eye-servant arch.
(ˈaɪˌsɜːvənt)
[f. eye n.1 + servant.]
One who serves the eye; one who does his duty only when under the eye of his master or employer.
| 1552 Latimer Serm. Lord's Prayer v. Wks. (Parker Soc.) 394 The most part of servants are but eye-servants. 1613 Answ. Uncasing Machivils Instr. F iij b, Keepe not an eye seruant within thy doore. 1682 J. Flavel Fear 19 ‘Tis the reproach of the servants of men to be eye-servants. 1832 Carlyle Remin. i. (1881) 6 No one..will ever say, Here was the finger of a hollow eye-servant. |