ancillas
|an-cil-las|
C2
/ænˈsɪl.əz/
(ancilla)
female servant; subsidiary part
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ancilla' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ancilla', where it meant 'maid' or 'female servant'.
Historical Evolution
'ancilla' was adopted directly from Latin into English, retaining its original meaning, and 'ancillas' is simply the plural form in English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'female servant' in Latin, and in English it has kept this meaning, sometimes used in scientific contexts to mean an auxiliary or helper.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'ancilla', meaning female servants or maids, especially in historical or scientific contexts.
The laboratory was filled with ancillas assisting the main researcher.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/02 07:36