- OE. servenservien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf. ConserveDesert merit, DessertObserveSerfSergeant
- To work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship.God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit.Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.No man can serve two masters.Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies.
- To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to.Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright.
- To be suitor to; to profess love to.ObsTo serve a lady in his beste wise.
- To wait upon; to supply the wants of; to attend; specifically, to wait upon at table; to attend at meals; to supply with food; as, to serve customers in a shop.Others, pampered in their shameless pride, Are served in plate and in their chariots ride.
- Hence, to bring forward, arrange, deal, or distribute, as a portion of anything, especially of food prepared for eating; -- often with up; formerly with in.Bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner.Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed.
- To perform the duties belonging to, or required in or for; hence, to be of use to; as, a curate may serve two churches; to serve one's country.
- To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn.Turn it into some advantage, by observing where it can serve another end.
- To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.
- To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill.
- To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.
- LawTo bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons.To make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subpœna.
- To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison.
- To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male.
- TennisTo lead off in delivering (the ball).
- NautTo wind spun yarn, or the like, tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather. See under Serving.To obey; minister to; subserve; promote; aid; help; assist; benefit; succor.
