Search the Dictionary

Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; -- usually in the plural. [Written also vale.] Dryden.

A male waiting servant; a servant who attends on gentleman's person; a body servant.

A servant, especially to a knight; an attendant; a valet; a footman. [Obs.] Spenser. Tusser.

A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave. "The vassals of his anger." Milton. Rear vassal, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.

Observant of truth; habitually speaking truth; truthful; as, veracious historian. The Spirit is most perfectly and absolutely veracious. Barrow.

s, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct. Who . . . heard this heavy curse, Servant of servants, on his vicious race. Milton.

e, or servile, tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest class, a bondman or servant. [In this sense written also villan, and villein.] If any of my ansectors was a tenant, and a servant, and held his lands as a villain to his lord, his posterity also must do so, though accidentally they become noble. Jer.…

A servant whose business is to void, or clear away, a table after a meal. [R.] Decker.

One who, or that which, waits; an attendant; a servant in attendance, esp. at table. The waiters stand in ranks; the yeomen cry, "Make room," as if a duke were passing by. Swift.

nk. -- Waiting maid, Waiting woman, a maid or woman who waits upon another as a personal servant.

The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night. Shepherds keeping watch by night. Milton. All the long night their mournful watch they keep. Addison.…

Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits. "Many a watchful night." Shak. "Hap…

vercome it. Num. xiii. 30. She looketh well to the ways of her household. Prov. xxxi. 27. Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought The better fight. Milton.

ote a close or direct relation of opposition or hostility; - - equivalent to against. Thy servant will . . . fight with this Philistine. 1 Sam. xvii. 32.

A female attendant or servant. " By her woman I sent your message." Shak. Woman hater, one who hates women; one who has an aversion to the female sex; a misogynist. Swift.

Went. See Yode. All as he bade fulfilled was indeed This ilke servant anon right out yede. Chaucer.

A servant; a retainer. [Obs.] A yeman hadde he and servants no mo. Chaucer.