serve

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 verb1 a: to be a servant b: to do military or naval service2: to assist a celebrant as server at mass3 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 customers7: to put the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games (as tennis, volleyball, or badminton)transitive verb1 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)3archaic : 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 to7 a: to answer the needs of b: to be enough for : suffice c: to contribute or conduce to : promote8: 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)10of a male animal : to copulate with11: to wind yarn or wire tightly around (a rope or stay) for protection12: to provide services that benefit or help13: to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play (as in tennis or badminton)

— serve one right

: to be deserved

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