corvee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, historical, literary
Quick answer
What does “corvee” mean?
A day's unpaid labour required of a vassal by a feudal lord, or forced labour on public works, exacted by an authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A day's unpaid labour required of a vassal by a feudal lord, or forced labour on public works, exacted by an authority.
A task or job one is required to perform, especially a tedious, obligatory, and unrewarding chore.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British historical/academic writing due to Norman history.
Connotations
Connotes feudal oppression, drudgery, or a burdensome duty. The figurative use is slightly more common than the historical.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Most commonly encountered in academic history texts or sophisticated prose.
Grammar
How to Use “corvee” in a Sentence
[Subject] imposed a corvée on [recipient].[Subject] was subjected to corvée.The [task] was a sheer corvée.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corvee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The peasants were corvéeed into repairing the lord's mill.
American English
- The settlers could be corvéeed for road maintenance under the old law.
adjective
British English
- The corvée system was a source of great resentment.
American English
- They performed corvée labour on the county roads.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically describe mandatory, unpaid overtime or tedious administrative duties.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and sociology to describe pre-modern labour systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or hyperbolically for a hated chore.
Technical
Specific term in historical and agricultural studies for feudal labour services.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corvee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corvee”
- Misspelling as 'corvey' or 'corvee' (without accent). Incorrect pluralisation ('corvees' is accepted, but 'corvées' is more traditional). Using it for any simple task, losing the connotation of compulsion and burden.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word primarily found in historical contexts or used metaphorically in formal writing.
Common pronunciations are /ˈkɔːveɪ/ (British) and /kɔːrˈveɪ/ (American). The original French pronunciation is closer to /kɔʁ.ve/.
Yes, but it is extremely rare. It means 'to impose unpaid labour upon' someone.
A 'chore' is a routine domestic task. 'Corvée' carries a stronger sense of historical or metaphorical compulsion, burden, and lack of choice, often imposed by an authority.
A day's unpaid labour required of a vassal by a feudal lord, or forced labour on public works, exacted by an authority.
Corvee is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Corvee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːveɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrˈveɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Something] is a modern corvée.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CORVETTE car being used not for fun, but for compulsory, tedious delivery runs—a 'corvée' of driving.
Conceptual Metaphor
MODERN TEDIOUS WORK IS FEUDAL LABOUR.
Practice
Quiz
In its modern figurative sense, 'corvée' best describes: