Definition & Meaning of "serf"in English

What is the origin of the term "serf" and how is it used?

"Serf" is a historical term from medieval Europe, originally referring to a laborer legally bound to a lord's land, emerging around the 9th–10th centuries. The word comes from the Latin servus, meaning "slave" or "servant," and carried connotations of subordination and lack of personal freedom. Over time, it has been used metaphorically in modern English to describe anyone treated or regarded as low-status, submissive, or lacking independence, often in political, social, or workplace contexts. The term is neutral when discussing history but becomes derogatory when applied metaphorically to insult or belittle someone's position or behavior.