| 释义 |
subserve, v.|səbˈsɜːv|
[ad. L. subservīre, f. sub- sub- 8 + servīre to serve v.1]
1. intr. To be subservient to.
a1619M. Fotherby Atheom. ii. i. §8 (1622) 186 Arts belonging to all these; and yet all of them subseruing vnto the Art of Riding. 1646H. Lawrence Commun. Angels 10 All creatures shall subserve to that composition of which God is a part. 1677Gale Crt. Gentiles iii. 9 The manner of our disquisitions..is irregular... When we..make that subservient which should be ultimate, and that ultimate which should subserve. 1759Martin Nat. Hist. II. 317 It subserves..to the Trade of this Place. 1822L. Hunt Indicator No. 25 (1822) I. 193 Merely subserving to the worst taste of the times. 1860Westcott Introd. Study Gosp. v. 263 The historical framework of their writings subserved to a doctrinal development.
2. a. trans. To be instrumental in furthering or assisting (a purpose, object, action, function, or condition); to promote or assist by supplying an instrument or means.
1677Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 439 Is there not a world of men, which..subserve the Glorie of their Maker? 1685Baxter Paraphr. N.T. Matt. vi. 9 That thou wilt..cause us to subserve thy Providence by our wise and diligent labours. 1687Lond. Gaz. No. 2250/3 The free Exercise of Religion..will..most truly subserve the Interest of Your Majesties Power. 1741Watts Improv. Mind i. xvii. (1801) 135 [The memory] uses all those parts..which subserve our sensations. 1786tr. Beckford's Vathek 7 Even insensible matter shewed a forwardness to subserve his designs. 1815Kirby & Sp. Entomol. x. (1816) I. 305 It might subserve the double purpose of ridding us of a nuisance, and relieving the public pressure. 1833–6Newman Hist. Sk. (1876) I. iv. v. 417 The cause of Protestantism..the Catholic Fathers certainly do not subserve. 1854Owen in Orr's Circ. Sci., Org. Nat. I. 197 The ribs..subserve locomotion. 1896Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 109 The peripheral nervous system subserves sensation alone.
b. To be instrumental in furthering the purpose, interest, or function of (a person or thing). rare.
1661Baxter Last Wk. Believer (1682) 62 Christ will not take it ill..to have his Ministers subserve him in so excellent a work. 1669Gale Crt. Gentiles i. i. 5 You see how the more imperfect subserve the perfect; the inanimate the animate; as the earth the plant. 1854Owen in Orr's Circ. Sci., Org. Nat. I. 163 Portions of bone are also developed to protect and otherwise subserve the organs of the senses.
3. a. intr. To act in a subordinate position. rare.
1671Milton Samson 57 Not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command. 1840Browning Sordello iii. 533 Old engagements out he blots For aye: Taurello shall no more subserve. 1968T. Kinsella Nightwalkers 60 We dwell together in urgency; Dominate, entering middle age; subserve, Aborting vague tendencies with buttery smiles.
†b. trans. To serve under, be subordinate to. Obs. rare.
1769E. Bancroft Guiana 319 The husband takes a second [wife]..who lives and subserves the former in all domestic employments.
4. refl. To avail oneself of. rare.
a1834Coleridge Omniana Lit. Rem. 1836 I. 373, I not merely subserve myself of them, but I employ them. |