The term means someone who is a step below slave, someone who can't function alone.

It is only loosely connected to the central nervous system and can mostly function alone, without instructions from topside.

Limited memory means the handheld units are unable to function alone.

"Maybe you'd like to explain how long you'll be able to function on sheer nerve alone," he murmured.

The city's central hospital was swamped by the tsunami, leaving a military hospital to function alone in the chaotic city.

Instead of answering her, he said, 'I don't function alone.

In a building in Amsterdam, an elevator inexplicably begins to function alone.

No Auld is expected to function alone for long.

These services cannot function long-term on goodwill alone.

He is shown to be unintelligent to the point that he cannot function alone.