slavery
    n 1: the state of being under the control of another person
         [syn: bondage, slavery, thrall, thralldom,
         thraldom]
    2: the practice of owning slaves [syn: slavery,
       slaveholding]
    3: work done under harsh conditions for little or no pay

Slavery \Slav"er*y\, n.; pl. Slaveries. [See 2d Slave.]
   1. The condition of a slave; the state of entire subjection
      of one person to the will of another.
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            Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, slavery, said
            I, still thou art a bitter draught!   --Sterne.
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            I wish, from my soul, that the legislature of this
            state [Virginia] could see the policy of a gradual
            abolition of slavery. It might prevent much future
            mischief.                             --Washington.
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   2. A condition of subjection or submission characterized by
      lack of freedom of action or of will.
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            The vulgar slaveries rich men submit to. --C. Lever.
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            There is a slavery that no legislation can abolish,
            -- the slavery of caste.              --G. W. Cable.
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   3. The holding of slaves.
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   Syn: Bondage; servitude; inthrallment; enslavement;
        captivity; bond service; vassalage.
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SLAVERY. The state or condition of a slave. 
     2. Slavery exists in most of the southern states. In Pennsylvania, by 
the act of March, 1780, for the gradual abolition of slavery, it has been 
almost entirely removed in Massachusetts it was held, soon after the 
Revolution, that slavery had been abolished by their constitution; 4 Mass. 
128; in Connecticut, slavery has been totally extinguished by legislative 
provisions; Reeve's Dom. Bel. 340; the states north of Delaware, Maryland 
and the river Ohio, may be considered as free States, where slavery is not 
tolerated. Vide Stroud on Slavery; 2 Kent, Com. 201; Rutherf. Inst. 238.