Helot

UK: /ˈhɛlət/ US: (hel′ət, hē′lət)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Hel•ot  (hel′ət, hē′lət), n. 

1. Ancient History a member of the lowest class in ancient Laconia, constituting a body of serfs who were bound to the land and were owned by the state. Cf. Perioeci, Spartiate.
2. (l.c.) a serf or slave;
   bondman.

• Greek heílōtes
• Latin hēlōtēs (plural)
• 1570–80

hel′ot•age, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Helot / ˈhɛlət ˈhiː-/ noun

1. (in ancient Greece, esp Sparta) a member of the class of unfree men above slaves owned by the state
2. (usually not capital) a serf or slave

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin Hēlotēs, from Greek Heilōtes, alleged to have meant originally: inhabitants of Helos, who, after its conquest, were serfs of the Spartans