serve

1. 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. Source: opted

2. v. t. To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to. Source: opted

3. v. t. To be suitor to; to profess love to. Source: opted

4. 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. Source: opted

5. 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. Source: opted

6. 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. Source: opted

7. v. t. To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn. Source: opted

8. v. t. To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch. Source: opted

9. v. t. To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill. Source: opted

10. v. t. To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns. Source: opted

11. 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. Source: opted

12. v. t. To make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subp/na. Source: opted

13. v. t. To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison. Source: opted

14. v. t. To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male. Source: opted

15. v. t. To lead off in delivering (the ball). Source: opted

16. 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. Source: opted

17. 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. Source: opted

18. v. i. To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc. Source: opted

19. 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. Source: opted

20. v. i. To be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable. Source: opted

21. v. i. To lead off in delivering the ball. Source: opted

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