thraldom
/'θrɔ:ldəm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The state of being under the control of another person or power; bondage, servitude. It refers to a condition of complete subjugation, lack of freedom, and forced submission.
Usage
The word "thraldom" is a formal and somewhat literary term. It is used to describe a state of extreme domination, whether physical (like slavery) or metaphorical (like being dominated by an addiction or a powerful emotion). It emphasizes a total loss of autonomy.
Examples
- The historical accounts detailed the thraldom of the captured soldiers.
- She felt a sense of thraldom to her demanding job, which consumed all her time and energy.
- The novel explores the psychological thraldom of its main character to his past regrets.
Advanced Usage
- "Intellectual thraldom": A state where one's thoughts or beliefs are completely controlled by a doctrine, ideology, or another person.
- The philosopher warned against the intellectual thraldom of accepting ideas without critical examination.
- "Emotional thraldom": A state of being completely dominated by a powerful emotion or attachment.
- His emotional thraldom to grief prevented him from moving forward with his life.
Variants and Related Words
- Thrall (noun): A person who is in a state of thraldom; a slave or bondman. It can also mean the state itself.
- He was a thrall to his own ambitions.
- Enthrall (verb): To captivate or charm, holding someone's complete attention. Historically, it meant to enslave.
- The storyteller enthralled the audience for hours.
Synonyms
- Bondage: The state of being a slave or being under physical/psychological restraint.
- Servitude: The condition of being a slave or being forced to work for someone.
- Subjugation: The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control.
- Yoke: (Metaphorical) A state of subjugation or burdensome control.
Antonyms
- Freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint.
- Liberty: The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions.
- Autonomy: The right or condition of self-government; freedom from external control.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "In thrall to": Completely controlled or fascinated by someone or something. This is the most common modern usage related to "thraldom."
- The public was in thrall to the charismatic leader's speeches.
- He found himself in thrall to a powerful addiction.
Noun
- the state of being under the control of another person