• adj. 卑微的；仆人的；适合仆人做的
• n. 仆人；住家佣工；下贱的人

来自古法语mesnie,家庭，来自拉丁语mansionem,居住，居住地，词源同manor,mansion.字面意思即家里面的，附属于一个家庭的，后引申词义仆人，佣人。词义演变比较family.

menial (adj.)

late 14c., "pertaining to a household," from Anglo-French meignial, from Old French mesnie "household," earlier mesnede, from Vulgar Latin *mansionata, from Latin mansionem "dwelling" (see mansion). Sense of "lowly, humble, suited to a servant" is recorded by 1670s.

menial (n.)

"domestic servant," late 14c., meynyal; see menial (adj.).

1. He was forced to take a series of menial jobs.

他被迫做一连串琐碎的杂活.

来自《简明英汉词典》

2. Hurstwood is hired by a different hotel to do menial jobs.

赫斯特伍德却在另一家旅馆里打杂.

来自辞典例句

3. It delighted him to perform menial offices.

履行仆人的职责使他心花怒放.

来自辞典例句

4. Manual or menial labor, such as barracks cleaning, assigned to soldiers.

劳务杂役分派给士兵的一年一次或两次的杂役(如打扫军营)

来自互联网

5. A person who does tedious , menial, or unpleasant work.

做苦工的人做单调 、 卑贱或不愉快工作的人.

来自互联网