Enslaved
/ɪnˈsleɪvd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo reduce someone to the status of a slave; to deprive of liberty and personal rights.
/ɪnˈsleɪvd/
To make someone a slave; to deprive someone of freedom.
The conquerors enslaved the defeated people.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone taking away your freedom, making you work for them, and not letting you make your own choices. That's what it means to enslave someone—it's like taking away their ability to live their life as they want.
👶 For kids: When someone takes away another person's freedom and makes them do what they want, that's like enslaving them.
More Examples
Many people were enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade.
The company was accused of enslaving its workforce with unfair labor practices.
How It's Used
"The Romans enslaved many people they conquered."
"The corporation was accused of enslaving its workers through exploitative contracts."
In a state of being a slave; subjected to the control of another.
/ɪnˈsleɪvd/
In a state of being a slave; deprived of freedom.
The enslaved people suffered greatly.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have to do whatever someone tells you to do because you're not free to make your own choices. If you're in that situation, you could be described as enslaved.
👶 For kids: When someone is a slave, they are enslaved, and they can't make their own choices and have to do what others tell them.
More Examples
He felt enslaved by his demanding job.
The novel depicted the lives of the enslaved in the antebellum South.
How It's Used
"The enslaved population yearned for freedom."
"He felt enslaved by his debts."
From Old English *slæf* (slave), combined with the prefix *en-* to give the meaning 'to make a slave of'. The concept and practice of enslavement has existed for millennia, with the word reflecting its historical importance.
The word 'enslaved' and the concept it describes is prevalent in historical texts regarding ancient civilizations, the transatlantic slave trade, and various conflicts where people were taken as captives and forced to work.
Memory tip
Picture shackles and chains to remember the loss of freedom.
Word Origin
"slæf (slave) + en- (to make)"