serve

[[t]sɜrv[/t]]

v. served, serv•ing, n.

1) to act as a servant

2) to wait on table, as a waiter

3) to have a meal or refreshments available, as for patrons or guests

4) to distribute a food or beverage, as a host or hostess

5) to render assistance; help

6) to go through a term of service as a soldier, senator, juror, etc

7) to have definite use:

This cup will serve as a sugar bowl[/ex]

8) to answer the purpose:

That will serve to explain my actions[/ex]

9) spo (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put the ball or shuttlecock in play with a stroke, swing, or hit

10) rel to act as a server at mass

11) to be in the service of; work for

12) to be useful or of service to; help

13) to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.)

14) to render active service, homage, or obedience to (God, a sovereign, commander, etc.)

15) to perform the duties of (a position, an office, etc.)

16) to answer the requirements of:

This will serve our needs for now[/ex]

17) to contribute to; promote:

to serve a cause[/ex]

18) to wait upon at table

19) to carry and distribute (food or drink) to a patron or a specific place, as a waiter or waitress

20) to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) food or drink

21) to act as a host or hostess in offering or distributing (food or drink) to another

22) to provide with a regular or continuous supply of something

23) spo (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play

24) to treat in a specified manner:

That served him ill[/ex]

25) law Law.

a) to make legal delivery of (a process or writ)

b) to present (a person) with a writ

26) to gratify (wants, needs, etc.)

27) ahb. zool. (of a male animal) to mate with; service

28) naut. navig. Naut. to wrap (a rope) tightly with light cordage, keeping the turns as close together as possible

29) the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis

•

- serve one right

Etymology: 1125–75; ME < OF servir < L servīre, der. of servus slave (cf. serf)