subservience Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the condition of being something that is useful in reaching an end or carrying out a plan
    • all his actions were in subservience to the general plan
  2. noun in a subservient state
    subservientness.
  3. noun abject or cringing submissiveness
    obsequiousness; servility.

WordNet

Sub*serv"i*ence, Sub*serv"i*en*cy noun (Also<
  • Subservience
  • Subserviency
)
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being subservient; instrumental fitness or use; hence, willingness to serve another's purposes; in a derogatory sense, servility.
    The body wherein appears much fitness, use, and subserviency to infinite functions. Bentley.
    There is a regular subordination and subserviency among all the parts to beneficial ends. Cheyne.

Webster 1913