HELOT

He″lot (?; 277), n. [[L. Helotes, Hilotae, pl., fr. Gr. Εἔλωσ and Εελὤτησ a bondman or serf of the Spartans; so named from Ελοσ̓, a town of Laconia, whose inhabitants were enslaved; or perh. akin to έλει̑ν to take, conquer, used as 2d aor. of �.]] A slave in ancient Sparta; a Spartan serf; hence, a slave or serf. Those unfortunates, the Helots of mankind, more or less numerous in every community. I. Taylor.