Indentured Servitude

/ɪnˈdɛn.tʃərd ˈsɜr.vɪ.tuːd/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal and historical labor system wherein a person agrees to work for a specific period in exchange for passage, debt repayment, or other compensation.
    The colony relied heavily on indentured servitude to supplement its labor force during the 17th century.

Forms

  • indentured servitude

Commentary

Indentured servitude differs from slavery by its fixed-term nature and voluntary contractual basis; modern references often focus on historical context.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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