English word slave comes from comes from Old French sclave (Slave), which comes from from Medieval Latin sclavus (slave), which in turn comes from Byzantine Greek Σκλᾰ́βος (Sklábos, meaning Slav - allegedly because Slavs were often forced into slavery) and ultimately from Proto-Slavic *slověninъ (Slav)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| σκλάβος | Byzantine Greek (gkm) | |
| Slavs | English (en) | |
| Sclāvus | Late Latin (LL) | |
| sclāvus | Medieval Latin (la-med) | |
| sclave | Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro) | |
| slave | English (en) | (engineering) A device that is controlled by another device.. A drudge; one who labours like a slave.. A person who is forced against his/her will to perform, for another person or other persons, sexual acts or other personal services on a regular or continuing basis.. A person who is legally obliged by prior contract (oral or written) to work for another, with contractually limited rights [...] |