Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Servile \Serv"ile\, n. (Gram.)
   An element which forms no part of the original root; --
   opposed to {radical}.

Servile \Serv"ile\, a. [L. servile, fr. servus a servant or
   slave: cf. F. servile. See {Serve}.]
   1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a
      servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence,
      meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as,
      servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience.

            She must bend the servile knee.       --Thomson.

            Fearing dying pays death servile breath. --Shak.

   2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved.

            Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! --Pope.

   3. (Gram.)
      (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile
          letter.
      (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the
          preceeding vowel, as e in tune.

Source : WordNet®

servile
     adj 1: pertaining to or involving slaves; "the servile wars of
            Sicily"
     2: submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; "spoke in a
        servile tone"; "the incurably servile housekeeper";
        "servile tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work"
        [ant: {unservile}]
     3: involving slaves; "Brown's attempt at servile insurrection"
        [syn: {servile(a)}]