Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French servise, from Latin servitium condition of a slave, body of slaves, from servus slave
Date: 13th century
1 a: the occupation or function of serving <in active service>b: employment as a servant <entered his service> 2 a: the work performed by one that serves <good service>b:help, use, benefit<glad to be of service>c: contribution to the welfare of others d: disposal for use <I'm entirely at your service> 3 a: a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony <the burial service>b: a meeting for worship —often used in plural <held evening services> 4: the act of serving: as a: a helpful act <did him a service>b: useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity —usually used in plural <charge for professional services>c:serve 5: a set of articles for a particular use <a silver tea service> 6 a: an administrative division (as of a government or business) <the consular service>b: one of a nation's military forces (as the army or navy) 7 a: a facility supplying some public demand <telephone service><bus service>b: a facility providing maintenance and repair <television service> 8: the materials (as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope 9: the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law 10: the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal 11: a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty <obstetrical service>
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