Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Helot \He"lot\ (?; 277), n. [L. Helotes, Hilotae, pl., fr. Gr.
   E'e`lws and E'elw`ths a bondman or serf of the Spartans; so
   named from 'Elos, a town of Laconia, whose inhabitants were
   enslaved; or perh. akin to e`lei^n to take, conquer, used as
   2d aor. of ?.]
   A slave in ancient Sparta; a Spartan serf; hence, a slave or
   serf.

         Those unfortunates, the Helots of mankind, more or less
         numerous in every community.             --I. Taylor.

Source : WordNet®

helot
     n : (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by
         the feudal lord [syn: {serf}, {villein}]