servitude

noun | \ ˈsər-və-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd \ | ser·vi·tude

1. : a condition in which an individual lacks liberty especially to determine his or her course of action or way of life; specifically : the state of being a slave involuntary servitude : the state of being a slave involuntary servitude

2. : a right by which property owned by one person is subject to a specified use or enjoyment of another —used chiefly in the civil law of Louisiana — see also dominant estate and servient estate at estate 4 — compare easement

   — apparent servitude
   : a predial servitude whose existence is perceivable by exterior signs or works (as an aqueduct or road) on the property

   — legal servitude
   : a predial servitude that is created by a limitation under the law on the use of the property

   — natural servitude
   : a predial servitude that arises from the situation of the estates (as from one being situated downhill from another)

   — personal servitude
   : a servitude that burdens property in favor of a specific named person — see also right of use, usufruct

   — predial servitude
   : a servitude that burdens one item of immovable property (as a tract of land) in favor of another Note: A predial servitude is transferred along with the ownership of the dominant estate, and the servient estate is always taken subject to the servitude. A predial servitude cannot be transferred separately from the dominant estate.