(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 employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired
assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense,
to obey and worship.
(v. t.) To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to
appear as the inferior of; to minister to.
(v. t.) To be suitor to; to profess love to.
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient
for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn.
(v. t.) To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a
sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.
(v. t.) To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act
toward; as, he served me very ill.
(v. t.) To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.
(v. t.) To bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually
or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a
summons.
(v. t.) To make legal service opon (a person named in a writ,
summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subp/na.
(v. t.) To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as,
to serve a term in prison.
(v. t.) To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; --
said of the male.
(v. t.) To lead off in delivering (the ball).
(v. t.) 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.
(v. i.) To be a servant or a slave; to be employed in labor or
other business for another; to be in subjection or bondage; to render
menial service.
(v. i.) To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with
household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc.
(v. i.) To be in service; to do duty; to discharge the
requirements of an office or employment. Specifically, to act in the
public service, as a soldier, seaman. etc.
(v. i.) To be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit;
to be convenient or favorable.
(v. i.) To lead off in delivering the ball.
