Hē'lot or Hēl'ot, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Gr. Εἵλως and Εἵλωτης, a bondman or serf of the Spartans, from Ἕλος, a town of Laconia, whose inhabitants were enslaved; but perhaps from ἑλεῖν, ἑλεῖν, to take, conquer, aor. 2. of αἱρεῖν; Lat. Helotes, Ilote, pl.] A slave in ancient Sparta; hence, a slave. Those unfortunates—the Helots of mankind, more or less numerous in every community. I. Taylor.