Articled servants were individuals who were bound by a legal agreement to work for a specific employer for a set period of time. In some cases, they were also referred to as apprentices or indentured servants. Synonyms for the term include bonded servants, apprentice laborers, indentured apprentices, and bound workers. The practice of hiring articled servants was common during the colonial era and often involved individuals who were seeking to learn a trade or profession. The use of this type of labor has largely become obsolete today, but the historical significance of articled servants remains an important part of our understanding of early labor practices.