01 v. t. 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 employ…
imp. & p. p.
Served; p. pr. & vb. n.
Serving
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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.
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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.
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3.
To be suitor to; to profess love to.[Obs.]“To serve a lady in his beste wise.” — Chaucer.
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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.
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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.
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6.
To perform the duties belonging to, or required in or for; hence, to be of use to; as, a curate may serve two churches; to serve one's country.
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7.
To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn.“Turn it into some advantage, by observing where it can serve another end.” — Jer. Taylor.
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8.
To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.
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9.
To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill.
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10.
To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.
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11.
To bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons.(Law)
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12.
To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison.
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13.
To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male.
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14.
To lead off in delivering (the ball).(Tennis)
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15.
To wind spun yarn, or the like, tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather. See under Serving.(Naut.) See: Serving“I will serve myself of this concession.” — Chillingworth.“They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment.” — Hooker.