- serve
-
—servable, serveable, adj.v.i.1. to act as a servant.2. to wait on table, as a waiter.3. to offer or have a meal or refreshments available, as for patrons or guests: Come early, we're serving at six.4. to offer or distribute a portion or portions of food or a beverage, as a host or hostess: It was her turn to serve at the faculty tea.5. to render assistance; be of use; help.6. to go through a term of service; do duty as a soldier, sailor, senator, juror, etc.7. to have definite use: This cup will serve as a sugar bowl.8. to answer the purpose: That will serve to explain my actions.9. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put the ball or shuttlecock in play with a stroke, swing, or hit.10. to be favorable, suitable, or convenient, as weather or time.11. Eccles. to act as a server.v.t.12. to be in the service of; work for.13. to be useful or of service to; help.17. to perform the duties of (a position, an office, etc.): to serve his mayoralty.18. to answer the requirements of; suffice: This will serve our needs for the moment.19. to contribute to; promote: to serve a cause.20. to wait upon at table; act as a waiter or waitress to.21. to carry and distribute (portions of food or drink) to a patron or a specific table, as a waiter or waitress.22. to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) a portion of food or drink: May I serve you with some tea and cake?23. to act as a host or hostess in offering or distributing (a portion or portions of food or drink) to another: They served tea and cake to their guests.24. to provide with a regular or continuous supply of something.26. to treat in a specified manner: That served him ill.27. Law.a. to make legal delivery of (a process or writ).b. to present (a person) with a writ.29. (of a male animal) to mate with; service.31. Naut. to wrap (a rope) tightly with small stuff, keeping the turns as close together as possible.32. serve one right, to treat one as one deserves, esp. to punish justly: It will serve you right if she never speaks to you again.n.33. the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.[1125-75; ME serven < OF servir < L servire, equiv. to serv(us) slave (cf. SERF) + -ire inf. suffix]
* * *
Universalium. 2010.