English edit

Etymology edit

helot +‎ -ism

Noun edit

helotism (usually uncountable, plural helotisms)

  1. The permanent oppression of a nominally free group of people
  2. (zoology) A form of mutualism in which one species is forced to perform tasks for another, for their mutual benefit

See also edit

References edit

  • Allaby, Michael. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Zoology. pg 213. Oxford University Press. New York. 1992.