\Serv"i*tude\, n. [L. servitudo: cf. F. servitude.]
1. The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a
   master; the condition of being bound to service; the
   condition of a slave; slavery; bondage; hence, a state of
   slavish dependence.
         You would have sold your king to slaughter, His
         princes and his peers to servitude.   --Shak.
         A splendid servitude; . . . for he that rises up
         early, and goe? to bed late, only to receive
         addresses, is really as much abridged in his freedom
         as he that waits to present one.      --South.
2. Servants, collectively. [Obs.]
         After him a cumbrous train Of herds and flocks, and
         numerous servitude.                   --Milton.
3. (Law) A right whereby one thing is subject to another
   thing or person for use or convenience, contrary to the
   common right.
Note: The object of a servitude is either to suffer something
      to be done by another, or to omit to do something, with
      respect to a thing. The easements of the English
      correspond in some respects with the servitudes of the
      Roman law. Both terms are used by common law writers,
      and often indiscriminately. The former, however, rather
      indicates the right enjoyed, and the latter the burden
      imposed. --Ayliffe. Erskine. E. Washburn.
{Penal servitude}. See under {Penal}.
{Personal servitude} (Law), that which arises when the use of
   a thing is granted as a real right to a particular
   individual other than the proprietor.
{Predial servitude} (Law), that which one estate owes to
   another estate. When it related to lands, vineyards,
   gardens, or the like, it is called rural; when it related
   to houses and buildings, it is called urban.