D defs.my
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Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Subserve

· Sub·serve · IPA /səbˈsɚv/
01 v. t. To serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient to; to help forward; to promote.
imp. & p. p. Subserved; p. pr. & vb. n. Subserving
  1. 1.
    To serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient to; to help forward; to promote.
    “It is a great credit to know the ways of captivating Nature, and making her subserve our purposes, than to have learned all the intrigues of policy.” — Glanvill.
02 v. i. To be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior capacity.
  1. 1.
    To be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior capacity.
    “Not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command.” — Milton.