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esclavo

slave

noun ehs-KLAH-boh Rare
People & Society Government

Origin: Medieval Latin sclavus, from Slavic, as many Slavic peoples were enslaved in the early medieval period

Usage Note

Esclavo has a feminine form esclava. In figurative use, ser esclavo de means to be a slave to something (es esclavo del trabajo, 'he is a slave to work'). The abstract noun is esclavitud ('slavery'). Avoid casual metaphorical use in sensitive contexts.

Examples

"Los esclavos trabajaban sin descanso."

Natural Translation

The slaves worked without rest.

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