helot

views updated May 18 2018

helot a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens. The name comes via Latin from Greek Heilōtes (plural), traditionally taken as referring to Helos, a Laconian town whose inhabitants were enslaved.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

helot

views updated Jun 27 2018

helot serf in ancient Sparta. XVI. — L. (H)īlōtæ, Hēlōtes pl. — Gr. Heílōtes, Heílōtai; of unkn. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

helot

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like