slave

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱlewH-der.?
2. Proto-Slavic*slov-
3. Proto-Slavic*Slov-?
4. Proto-Slavic*slověninъ
5. Ancient GreekΣκλαβηνός (Sklabēnós)
6. Medieval GreekΣκλᾰ́βος (Sklắbos)
7. Late LatinSclavus
8. Medieval Latinsclavus
9. Old Frenchesclave
10. Middle Englishsclave
11. English todayslave

Inherited from Middle English sclave, from Old French esclave, from Medieval Latin sclavus (“slave”), from Late Latin Sclavus (“Slav”), traditionally assumed to be because Slavs were often forced into slavery in the Middle Ages. The Latin word is from Medieval Greek Σκλάβος (Sklábos); see that entry and Slav for more. Displaced native Old English þēow. Thrall and bondsman/bondswoman, however, remain common synonyms. Doublet of ciao and Slav. An alternative hypothesis derives sclavus from Ancient Greek σκῡλεύω (skūleúō), σκῡλάω (skūláō, “to strip or despoil a slain enemy”).

Words from the same roots