Servant Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Servant, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Servant?

(n) A servant is the person who works for his master as per his directions and instructions in a time bound or activity bound manner for a consideration agreed up on. Unlike a contractor, a relationship of exists between master and servant whereby servant is confined to the work of the master where as a contractor need to get the work completed to the satisfaction of owner.

History and Meaning of Servant

The concept of a servant dates back to ancient times when wealthy individuals would hire people to perform domestic and other services. In feudal times, servants were typically individuals of lower social status who were employed by lords or aristocrats to perform manual labor. In modern times, the term has become more broadly defined to include anyone who works for another person or organization in exchange for a wage or salary.

Examples of Servant

  1. The family hired a servant to help with cooking and cleaning.
  2. The company employed a servant to run errands and perform administrative tasks.
  3. The hotel had an entire staff of servants to cater to the needs of its guests.
  4. The homeowner had a groundskeeper who was also considered a servant.
  5. In some cultures, indentured servants were common in the past.

Legal Terms Similar to Servant

  1. Employee - A person who works for another in exchange for a wage or salary and who is subject to the control of the employer.
  2. Domestic worker - A person who is employed to work within the employer's household and who may perform a variety of duties such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare.
  3. Independent contractor - A person who works for another but is not considered an employee and is responsible for completing their work independently.