Main Entry: ¹serve

Pronunciation: \ˈsərv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): served; serv·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French servir, from Latin servire to be a slave, serve, from servus slave, servant

Date: 13th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to be a servant b : to do military or naval service
2 : to assist a celebrant as server at mass
3 a : to be of use <in a day when few people could write, seals served as signatures — Elizabeth W. King> b : to be favorable, opportune, or convenient c : to be worthy of reliance or trust <if memory serves> d : to hold an office : discharge a duty or function <serve on a jury>
4 : to prove adequate or satisfactory : suffice <it will serve for this task>
5 : to help persons to food: as a : to wait at table b : to set out portions of food or drink
6 : to wait on customers
7 : to put the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games (as tennis, volleyball, or badminton)transitive verb 1 a : to be a servant to : attend b : to give the service and respect due to (a superior) c : to comply with the commands or demands of : gratify d : to give military or naval service to e : to perform the duties of (an office or post)
2 : to act as server at (mass)
3 archaic : to pay a lover's or suitor's court to (a lady) <that gentle lady, whom I love and serve — Edmund Spenser>
4 a : to work through (a term of service) b : to put in (a term of imprisonment)
5 a : to wait on at table b : to bring (food) to a diner c : present, provide —usually used with up <the novel served up many laughs>
6 a : to furnish or supply with something needed or desired b : to wait on (a customer) in a store c : to furnish professional service to
7 a : to answer the needs of b : to be enough for : suffice c : to contribute or conduce to : promote
8 : to treat or act toward in a specified way <he served me ill>
9 a : to bring to notice, deliver, or execute as required by law b : to make legal service upon (a person named in a process)
10 of a male animal : to copulate with
11 : to wind yarn or wire tightly around (a rope or stay) for protection
12 : to provide services that benefit or help
13 : to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play (as in tennis or badminton)

— serve one right : to be deserved