Definition

Noun: 1. The act of making someone a slave: The process or action of forcing a person into a condition of slavery, depriving them of personal freedom and autonomy. 2. The state of being a slave: The condition or experience of being owned and controlled by another person, subject to forced labor and servitude.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Act of making slaves):
  • The brutal enslavement of captured populations was a tragic feature of ancient empires.
  • The new laws were aimed at preventing the enslavement of any free citizen.
• Noun (State of being a slave):
  • After his capture, he lived a life of complete enslavement.
  • The memoir detailed her escape from physical and psychological enslavement.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative/Metaphorical Use: The word can be used to describe a state of being completely dominated or controlled by something non-human, such as a habit, addiction, or system.
  • His enslavement to work left no time for his family.
  • The enslavement to consumer debt is a modern crisis.

Variants and Related Words

• Enslave (verb): To make someone a slave.
  • The conquerors sought to enslave the native population.
• Slave (noun): A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.
• Bondage (noun): The state of being a slave or being under control; often used synonymously with but can also imply other forms of severe restriction.

Synonyms

• Subjugation: The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control.
• Servitude: The state of being a slave or being completely subject to someone more powerful.
• Thralldom/Thraldom: The state of being in someone's power or having great power over someone.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Chains of enslavement": A metaphorical phrase describing the conditions or systems that keep someone in a state of slavery or oppression.
  • They fought to break the chains of enslavement.
• "Economic enslavement": A phrase describing a situation where individuals are trapped in a cycle of debt or poverty that severely limits their freedom.
  • The company was accused of creating a system of economic enslavement for its workers.

Noun

1. the act of making slaves of your captives
2. the state of being a slave
   • So every bondman in his own hand bears the power to cancel his captivity--Shakespeare