noun
thrall
THRAWL/θrɔːl/
Bondage under another's control.
The captive remains in thrall to the person holding her chain.
Etymology
Old English þræl named a person in servitude; thrall later named the condition itself. Being under someone’s influence extends that loss of freedom beyond literal bondage.
In context
There's no principle. There's no soul there. There's nothing. There's nothing guiding these these folks. They're completely in thrall to the emperor, but they're winning.
More examples
- The storyteller holds the children in thrall.
- The town remains in thrall to one wealthy family.
- She finally breaks free from the cult's thrall.
Forms
enthrall verb — To hold someone's attention completely.
Similar words
- bondage
- Emphasizes loss of freedom, often through slavery or coercion.
- servitude
- Emphasizes forced service or labor rather than general control.
- subjection
- Describes being under authority without implying fascination or enchantment.