subserve

subserve
/seuhb serrv"/, v.t., subserved, subserving.
1. to be useful or instrumental in promoting (a purpose, action, etc.): Light exercise subserves digestion.
2. Obs. to serve as a subordinate.
[1610-20; < L subservire, equiv. to sub- SUB- + servire to SERVE]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Subserve — Sub*serve , v. i. To be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior capacity. [1913 Webster] Not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Subserve — Sub*serve , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Subserved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Subserving}.] [L. subservire; sub under + servire to serve. See {Serve}.] To serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient to; to help forward; to promote. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • subserve — index aid, assist, avail (be of use), foster, inure (benefit), pander, promote ( …   Law dictionary

  • subserve — [səb sʉrv′] vt. subserved, subserving [L subservire < sub , under + servire, to SERVE] to be useful or helpful to (a purpose, cause, etc.); serve; promote; aid …   English World dictionary

  • subserve — transitive verb Etymology: Latin subservire to serve, be subservient, from sub + servire to serve Date: 1661 1. to promote the welfare or purposes of 2. to serve as an instrument or means in carrying out …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • subserve — verb a) To serve to promote (an end); to be useful to. b) To assist in carrying out. See Also: subservient …   Wiktionary

  • subserve — Synonyms and related words: act for, advance, assist, be found wanting, be inferior, be instrumental, come short, conduce to, contribute to, decide, determine, facilitate, fail, fall short, follow, forward, go between, have nothing on, influence …   Moby Thesaurus

  • subserve — (Roget s IV) v. Syn. advance, support, aid; see promote 1 , serve 1 …   English dictionary for students

  • subserve — verb formal help to further or promote. Origin C17: from L. subservient , subservire (see sub , serve) …   English new terms dictionary

  • subserve — v. a. Promote, forward, further, serve, help forward, be subservient to, pander to, minister to …   New dictionary of synonyms

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