Hypertext Webster Gateway: "serve"

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) 1.7 (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"
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 (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals
for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.";
"The entertainers served up a lively show" [syn: {serve up},
{dish out}, {dish up}, {dish}]
7: devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries,
institutions, or ideas: "She served the art of music"; "He
served the church"; "serve the country"
8: promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to; "Art serves
commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves
recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the
counrty well" [syn: {serve well}]
9: spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years
for embezzlement" [syn: {do}]
10: work for or be a servant 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?";
"The minister served the King for many years" [syn: {attend
to}, {wait on}, {attend}, {assist}]
11: deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed
by the sheriff" [syn: {process}, {swear out}]
12: be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity;
"A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose
well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A "B" grade doesn't suffice to
get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve"
[syn: {suffice}, {do}, {answer}]
13: do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never
served, because they are short-sighted"
14: mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding
purposes" [syn: {service}]
15: put the ball into play; as in games like tennis; "It was
Agassi's turn to serve"

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