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serve |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Serve \Serve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr & vb n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, 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 {Conserve}, {Desert} merit, {Dessert}, {Observe}, {Serf}, {Sergeant}.] 1. 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. --Rom. i. 9. Jacob loved Rachel; and said I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. --Gen. xxix. 18. No man can serve two masters. --Matt. vi 24. 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. --Shak. 2. 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. --Milton. 3. To be suitor to to profess love to [Obs.] To serve a lady in his beste wise. --Chaucer. 4. 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. --Dryden. 5. 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. --Shak. Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed. --Dryde. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Serve \Serve\, v. i. 1. To be a servant or a slave; to be employed in labor or other business for another; to be in subjection or bondage; to render menial service. The Lord shall give thee rest . . . from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. --Isa. xiv. 3. 2. To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc But Martha . . . said Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? --Luke x. 40. 3. To be in service; to do duty; to discharge the requirements of an office or employment. Specifically, to act in the public service, as a soldier, seaman. etc Many . . . who had before been great commanders, but now served as private gentlemen without pay --Knolles. 4. To be of use to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable. This little brand will serve to light your fire. --Dryden. As occasion serves, this noble queen And prince shall follow with a fresh supply. --Shak. 5. (Tennis) To lead off in delivering the ball. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: serve n : a stroke (in tennis or badminton or squash) that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game" [syn: {service}] v 1: serve a purpose, role, or function; "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; The table functions as a desk" [syn: {function}] 2: do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function: "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms"; "They served as medics in Vietnam" 3: contribute or conduce to "The scandal served to increase his popularity" 4: be used by as of a utility: "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses" [syn: {service}] 5: help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself" [syn: {help}] 6: provide food; "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M." [syn: {serve up}, {dish out}, {dish up}, {dish}] 7: be in the service of be a servant of as of people, institutions, or ideas: "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "Marie served her mistress faithfully until her death" 8: promote; "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation" 9: spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement" [syn: {do}] 10: to act as an attendant to "May I serve you?"; "She attends the old lady in the wheelchair"; "Can you wait on our table, please?"; "Is a salesperson assisting you?" [syn: {attend to}, {wait on}, {attend}, {assist}] 11: serve somebody with a warrant or summons; "He was processed by the sheriff" [syn: {process}, {swear out}] 12: mate with "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes" [syn: {service}] 13: put the ball into play; as in games like tennis; "It was Agassi's turn to serve" From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: serveTo be a {server}, to provide a {service}. E.g., "The {shttpd} serves requested documents to clients over a secure link." (1997-09-11)
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