| 释义 |
serven.1Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin sorbus. Etymology: Ultimately < classical Latin sorbus (also sorvus ) service tree (masculine); compare also sorbum service apple, sorb (neuter; for both of these, see sorb n.1). Compare service n.2In Old English a weak feminine. The stem vowel of Old English syrfe shows the reflex of u with i-mutation (in Kentish > e ), indicating an early date of borrowing (see A. Campbell Old Eng. Gram. (1959) §501). The word was probably borrowed via vulgar Latin or proto-Romance *sorbea (compare -eus : see -eous suffix); with this reconstructed form compare Franco-Provençal sorbie (Dauphiné), Italian regional šorbia (Genoa), súrvia (Lecce), all denoting the fruit of the service tree. (Early currency of this type in Romance languages is also suggested by Medieval Greek σούρβια (1154 in an Italian source; apparently < Italian)). In the β. forms apparently influenced by classical Latin sorbus or Anglo-Norman and Middle French sorbe (see sorb n.1). Quot. 1621 at sense 2 could alternatively be interpreted as showing an uninflected plural of service n.2 (compare service n.2 2). In later use English regional (chiefly Sussex). Now rare. society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend upon as servant [verb (transitive)] eOE Bounds (Sawyer 558) (transcript of lost MS) in S. E. Kelly (2001) 186 Þonon to þam won stocce 7 þær to wuda, þonon on þa syrfan. a1225 ( Bounds (Sawyer 461) in S. E. Kelly (2000) 133 Of cawel dene to þære syrfan, þonne of þære syrfan to heal wicum. a1325 (Cambr.) (1929) l. 677 Ly alier [glossed] cirne [v.rr. cerve, cyrne] tre port les alies [glossed] cirnes [v.rr. cerves, cernes]. tr. Palladius (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iii. l. 877 In serue [L. sorbo] & peche, in plane & populer, In wilous may this melis graffid be. 1907 50 181 Sherve, service tree, service fruit. the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > fruit or a fruit > pear > [noun] > fruit of service-tree the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular types of fruit > [noun] > pear > fruit of service-tree c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 21* Creke prune et alie, bolas plumbe and cirue. 1621 R. Burton i. ii. ii. i. 92 Nuts, Medlers, Serues, &c. 1886 16 Jan. 651/1 The Service tree is common in Sussex; the fruit, or rather berries, are somewhat difficult to get at... They are called ‘Serves’ by the natives of that county. 1957 H. Hall (new ed.) 114/1 Serb, Sherve.., or Sorb. Generally plural, serbs. The fruit of the wild Service Tree. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † serven.2Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French serve. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French serve (late 12th cent. in Old French; French serve ) < classical Latin serva , feminine form corresponding to serf serf n. Obsolete. rare. society > authority > subjection > slavery or bondage > [noun] > slave > female 1480 W. Caxton tr. Ovid xi. v. And helde her as hys serue and paramour [Fr. comme sienne meschine]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2021). serven.3 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: serve v.1 Etymology: < serve v.1 N.E.D. (1912) also gave the following quotation as the earliest recorded use of this word possibly in the sense ‘service, adoration’. However, it seems more likely that this instead shows a transmission error involving serve v.1 in the phrase to serve to pay ‘to serve in a satisfactory or acceptable manner’ (see pay n. 1):c1440 in G. G. Perry Relig. Pieces in Prose & Verse (1914) 79 Þou gyffe me grace the serue to paye. 1. In a racket sport such as tennis or badminton, volleyball, or another game played over a net or against a wall. See also to lose (one's) serve, to go with (the) serve, on serve at Phrases.society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > [noun] > types of play or stroke 1688 R. Holme iii. 264/2 (Tennis) Serve, is the first casting out of the Ball upon the Pent-House, for him on the contrary side to strike at. 1880 14 May 64/2 In receiving, it is sweet, When you run up his serve to meet. 1951 R. E. Laveaga 9 A serve which lands in the center of the opponent's court is the easiest serve for the opponents to handle. 1972 P. Metzler (rev. ed.) 59 Invulnerable to an opponent's service, he could swing his own left-handed serve onto the opposing backhand. 2017 (Nexis) 31 Mar. The match featured huge serves from Kyrgios. 1883 24 Dec. (Suppl.) 218/3 Having thus acquired a lead and it being his serve next the chances were..that he would have..turned his defeat into a victory. 1930 27 June 13/4 Miss Cain played several beautiful shots during her serve, and took the set at 6–4. 1938 17 May 1/4 [The home team] won the toss and Hedge began his serve quietly. 1953 24 Feb. 14/4 He fought off three match points during his serve in the ninth game. 2018 18 Nov. (Nexis) The German dropped only four points on his serve. 1812 79 Come round and fill the twa-arm'd chair, And here's the kebbuck, tak' your sair; Frae this time forth, believe me John! Thou's never get a cheeseless scone. 1922 G. P. Dunbar 15 Wi' feesant here, an' peertricks there, Stoot mealie puddens an' tae spare, Ye wad'a' thocht some had nae ser', Sae he'rty they did lower 'em. 3. the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > portion of food > portion served 1868 T. Archer in Dec. 52 He was so timid, that he would look afraid to ask for his second serve at dinner. 1872 19 Oct. 5/3 On the second day there was a serve of delicious broth from the stock. 1920 A. Ashford True Hist. Leslie Woodcock in ix. 38 ‘Where is that child’ said Mr. Earlsdown after having 3 serves of the bacon. 1986 10 Jan. (Travel Suppl.) 2/4 Many of the recommended restaurants offer free seconds if you can scoff all the generous first serves. 2017 M. Preston 141/2 Buy a big serve of hot crispy chips. 1902 3 Dec. 7/6 [They] should..roll up in satisfactory numbers for a serve of the ‘sweets’ on which will probably be provided by the benevolent ‘books’ present. 1921 28 May Four to one the field was called by Gol Gallagher, and the hand that guides this pen was the first to get a serve of Section in the Purse. 1947 31 Aug. 27/2 Yesterday at Randwick he had quite a serve of Sovereign, who won the Three-year-old Handicap at 14/1. 2003 (Nexis) 19 June 96 Jubilant trainer and part-owner Paul Perry..admitted to having a serve of the juicy 25-1 offered by bookies. the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > [noun] > instance of 1967 No. 39. 4/5 Serve, to give a person a thrashing. ‘Give the mug a serve.’ 1974 K. Stackpole & A. Trengrove 104 I continued to give Snow a bit of a serve. 1983 3 Mar. 2/6 The Government's official economic advisers got a serve for being ‘quick to concoct’ costings on Labour's election promises. 1993 A. S. Smith 204 Finally, Abo and I walked him around the corner and gave him a terrible serve. Abo got carried away and went to town on the guy with his blade. 2017 (Nexis) 9 May 19 She then gave him a serve for not listing his parents on the people to thank list. Phrases In tennis and other racket sports (see sense 1). 1890 Sept. 920/1 He lost his serve, and the next game as well, and before five minutes had passed he was two games to the bad in the last set. 1982 2 Sept. (Report on Sport section) s3/1 The two battled through the second set, each losing serve once, before going into the tiebreaker. 2017 (Nexis) 25 Sept. Nadal lost his serve in game one with a double-fault. 1920 29 June The second set went with the serve for the first five games. 1928 19 Aug. (Sports section) 8/5 The second set was more evenly contested as the game went with serve until the score was 3-all. 1984 11 June 3/6 In an electric atmosphere the match continued to go with serve. 2013 E. Flynn xxvii. 257 The games went with serve for most of the third set. 1977 4 Feb. 13/1 The players stayed on serve until the seventh game of the second set when Roche broke Nastase. 1993 21 Feb. 201/1 Play continued on serve until Courier broke again in the eighth game. 2017 (Nexis) 15 July The first set stayed on serve for a long time before Venus brought up two set points. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022). servev.1 Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French servir; Latin servīre. Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman server, servier, servire, cervir, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French servir to worship, be devoted to, perform one's religious obligations to (God, a pagan deity, the Devil, etc.) (9th cent.), to be obedient to (God), to perform divine service, (especially) to celebrate the Eucharist, to wait on (a person), to acquit oneself of one's duty towards secular authorities (all c1050), to perform one's obligations to a liege lord (c1100), to make use of (something) (c1100), to perform military service (late 12th cent.), to bring food to a table (late 12th cent.), to be a devoted lover of (a woman) (late 12th cent.), to be useful to (a person) (late 12th cent.), to deal blows to (a person) (late 12th cent.), to furnish (a person) with something (end of the 12th cent. in servir quelqu'un de quelque chose ), to depend on (something) (late 14th cent.), to assail (an enemy) with arrows or other projectiles (first attested slightly later than the corresponding sense in English: a1506), to be a slave (1550), in Anglo-Norman also to have sexual intercourse with (a person) (late 12th cent.), (in legal use) to be employable or applicable to something (late 13th cent. or earlier), to present or deliver (a letter, note, etc.) (late 13th cent. or earlier), to deliver (a writ), (in legal use) to satisfy (a person), to fulfil, observe (a statute) (all early 14th cent. or earlier), to pay (a person) (late 14th cent. or earlier), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin servīre to serve as a slave, to wait on, to be a servant of, also used of a lover or a worshipper, to be politically subject, to labour for, to devote oneself (to), to act in subservience, (of things) to be at the service of, to be employed, (in legal context, of landed property) to be subject to a serviture, (of lands) to be subject to a rent, in post-classical Latin also to render habitual obedience to (God) (Vulgate), to be subject to (sin) (4th cent.), (in grammar) to govern (4th cent.), to officiate as a minister of God, to perform divine service (4th or 5th cent. in Augustine), to hold office (6th cent.; 13th cent. in a British source), (of land) to be used to provide food (8th cent.), to perform service as a vassal (9th cent.; from 11th cent. in British sources), to perform military service (9th cent.; 12th cent. in a British source), to supply food for one's lord (10th cent.), to provide, supply (from 11th cent. in British sources), to wait at table (from 12th cent. in British sources), (with breve ) to serve a writ (1505 in a British source) < servus slave, servant (see serf n.).Compare Old Occitan servir , sirvir , Catalan servir (11th cent.), Spanish servir (late 12th cent.), Portuguese servir (13th cent.), Italian servire (end of the 12th cent.). In Latin the verb was intransitive, often followed by a dative. In French (as in other Romance languages) the intransitive use has remained, but by the side of it there has been from an early period a transitive use, resulting from the conversion of the indirect into a direct object. In Middle English both uses were common; in modern English the verb is felt as primarily transitive, the intransitive senses which survive having blended with the absolute uses. See also to serve a person's turn at turn n. Phrases 1b(a) (in various senses). In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix). Older Scots forms with initial sch- (and also similar forms at other members of this lexical family, e.g. servant n.) probably largely reflect editorial expansion of Older Scots forms with long s, although some such forms may reflect a development of /s/ > /ʃ/. I. To attend as or in a manner reminiscent of a servant; to render service or obedience to. * In senses related to work or labour. 1. the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)] > help as subsidiary > act as assistant to > attend upon like a servant c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine (1993) 142 Engles him sone neahlæcedon & him seruedon [L. ministrabant ei]. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 1579 Þat gode wif..serueþ [a1300 Jesus Oxf. sarueþ] him to bedde & to borde Mid faire dede and faire worde. c1330 (c1250) (Auch.) (1966) l. 549 Euer[i] dai þer sscholde come þre maidenes vt of hire boure, To seruen him vp in þe toure. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 20120 To fere and seke ai did scho bote, And serued taim till hand and fote. c1450 (1904) I. 80 What is he þis at syttis att supper & I holde candell vnto and dure such serves? what am I þat I sulde seryff hym þis? c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson (1842) 50 Butte, alle my men, I ȝo cummawunde, To serue him wele to fote and honde. a1500 (?c1450) xiv. 225 Whan the kynges doughter hadde serued the thre kynges, than she serued hir fader. 1617 F. Moryson i. 251 He presently fell sicke, and not able to serve himselfe, could not..doe me any service. 1675 P. Du Moulin 11 When I came over into England it was without a design of staying in it, but to serve my sick Father. 1713 35 They are taught nothing by their parents but to..Bake a little bread, and to serve their Husbands. 1794 G. Washington Let. in (1892) XIII. 18 An application was made to me by Kate at Muddy hole..to serve the negro women (as a Grany) on my estate. 1852 W. M. Thackeray III. iii. 66 His health was still shattered; and he took a lodging near to his mistresses, at Kensington, glad enough to be served by them. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 21 The good house,..Endures not that her guest should serve himself. 1965 May 329/1 She seems to have accepted responsibility for her parents;..Her rôle in life was to look after and serve them. 2017 (Nexis) 25 July [My husband] had an expectation that I was there to serve and take care of him, to make beds and do housework. society > authority > subjection > service > servant > be servant to [verb (transitive)] ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 309 Helpeð wið ower achne swinch...to schruten ow seoluen & þeo þet ow seruið. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1670 Ic sal for rachel Seruen ðe seuene winter wel. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. v. l. 115 For sum tyme I Seruede Simme atte noke, And was his pliht prentys. 1584 T. Cogan ii. 17 Plautus..was faine for his liuing to serue a baker. 1611 Exod. xxi. 6 His master shall boare his eare through with an aule, and he shall serue him for euer. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. v. 56 A Gentleman that serues the Count. View more context for this quotation 1661 in (1890) App. v. 6 Gervise Lucas served George Earle of Rutland as gentleman of his horse some yeares. 1740 10 Richard Welsh, a young Fellow who had served my Aunt. 1785 F. Grose at Ribbaldry Ribbalds were originally mercenary soldiers, who travelled about, serving any master for pay. 1828 J. Wilson Noctes Ambrosianae xxxv, in Jan. 113 That is the lot o' the puirest herd callant, wha, haein' nae pawrents, is glad to sair a hard master, withouten ony wage. 1878 Nov. 114 Her maid..has declared that she will serve the Countess no longer. 1955 18 Mar. 166/4 Lope had served too many noblemen in his time not to know the master-servant relationship in all its facets. 2008 C. Bradley vi. 40 For Patricia to serve the lady of the house as personal maid was unheard of in this strata of society. society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (intransitive)] society > authority > subjection > service > servant > be servant [verb (intransitive)] ?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xxi, in (1881) 4 195 Men seþ ofte a muche file [a1325 Cambr. pover þral], Þey he serve boten a wile, Bicomen swiþe riche, And an oþer no þing fonge, Þat haveþ served swiþe longe. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vi. xv. 312 The þridde manere of seruantes is bounde frelich and by here owne good wille, and serueþ for mede and for hire. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 731 Whilom he serued in his panterie. c1475 MS Trin. Dublin 245 in J. H. Todd (1842) p. iv (MED) If a man haue an hired plowman in to serueys..feiþfully to serue to him in to þat werk, [etc.]. 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara iii. xlv. f. 225v It is a vaine thinge to thinke, that the iesters shuld serue as seruauntes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 268 She is her Masters maid, and serues for wages. View more context for this quotation 1664 R. Codrington Proverbs in ii. 200 He that serves well needs not fear to ask his wages. 1745 J. Swift 37 Whether you serve in Town or Country. 1764 R. Burn 215 From the highest subject to the lowest, no man chuses to serve for nothing. 1815 W. Wordsworth II. 308 All trades, as need was, did old Adam assume,—Served as Stable-boy, Errand-boy, Porter, and Groom. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 25 The men who served About my person. 1921 Jan. 4/1 Her only child was a daughter serving in a great house. 2007 (Nexis) 19 Apr. Most of these [trafficked children] come from within Namibia to look after cattle or serve in the houses of well to do families in towns. 2. society > faith > worship > observance, ritual > perform rite(s) [verb (transitive)] c1175 ( Nativity of Virgin (Bodl.) in B. Assmann (1889) 118 He sealde..oðerne del þæm þe gode ane seruedæn [OE Hatton þeowodon]. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 615 & illc an hird wel wisste inoh. Whillc lott badd hise prestess. I godess temmple serrfenn godd. c1450 (c1400) (Huntington) (1942) 167 (MED) He was..sone of an heþene prest þat serued þe mawmentes. c1460 in A. Clark (1907) 111 To the modur church and to the mynsters þere seruyng god. a1500 (?c1378) J. Wyclif (1880) 457 Trewe prestis shulden trowe heere þat neþer þe word of þer prelat, ne þe word of þer somenour han so myche maliss wiþ hem þat ne þey may preche & serue god aftir þis suspending. 1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye I. 207 The sages of India and Persia, and Iupiters priests seruing false gods did neuer eate any flesh. 1657 J. Davies tr. H. D'Urfé II. sig. C2v An Altar dedicated unto a Virgin who should have a Child, and that Divinity served by the Daughters of Druid. 1777 J. Williams II. ii. i. 162 It was much of the practice, in those days, to give to the high priests the names of the god whom they served. 1819 P. B. Shelley ii. ii. 31 A priest who has forsworn the God he serves. 1965 5 86 The principal deity is served by a Brahmin Kurukkal. 2014 J. Carter ix. 112 There may come a time when Catholic priests are permitted to marry and qualified women are called to serve God on an equal basis. society > faith > worship > observance, ritual > perform rite(s) [verb (intransitive)] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 506 Þatt illc an shollde witenn wel. Whillc lott himm shollde reȝȝsenn. To cumenn inn till ȝerrsalæm. To serruenn i þe temmple. c1300 ( Royal Charter: Edward the Confessor to Bury St. Edmunds (Sawyer 1046) in J. M. Kemble (1848) VI. 205 To ðe abbotes nede and ðere moneke ðe ðer binine schulen for us seruen [c1275 for hus seruen; L. pro nobis seruire]. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3634 Aaron bissop oðere of ðat kin Sette he, hem for to seruen ðor-in. c1330 (Auch.) (1882) l. 358 Wiþ an hundred chanouns & her priour..For to serui þere. a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif (1871) III. 346 Ȝif apostlis weren now alyve, and sawen þus preestis serve in þe Chirche. 1435 in J. Anderson (1899) 30 [Granting to the] Lady Awter off the parisshe kyrk of North Berwyk and tyll Schir Androw Ferour thare serwand. a1500 (c1450) P. Idley (Arun.) (1935) ii. S. 61 (MED) Holy chyrch..fforbyddyth..In stallys in þe querre to take any stede, And can not helpe to seruffe, syng, nor rede. 1537 Will of H. Monmouth in J. Strype (1721) I. App. xc. 251 Item, I wyl have no mo Preestes and Clerks at my funeral mass than do serve dayly in our parysh church. 1568 Extracts Rec. in W. Chambers (1872) 74 Being found qualifiit to serf and mak ministratioun in the kirk of God. 1625 T. Godwin i. v. 21 That euery one of the Inferiour Priests might equally serue in his order, King Dauid distributed the whole company of them into twentie foure rankes. 1691 68 There are eight Chaplains that serve quarterly..Who are to say every day (excepting the High-Mass dayes) a low Mass before the King. a1765 C. Parkin (1775) V. 1530 Find also a chantrey priest to serve daily in Repps church. 1859 M. W. Jacobus 107/1 The chief priests of the twenty-four courses, who served weekly in the temple. society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)] > habitually society > faith > aspects of faith > piety > cause to be pious [verb (transitive)] > render habitually obedient to god a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 81 Hu me sulde godalmihti serue and his wille wurche in orðe. a1300 (?c1175) Poema Morale (McClean) l. 167 in (1907) 30 232 Þo þat gode iserued habbeþ after hare miȝte, Hi sculle to heueneriche fare. c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) (1898) l. 296 I shal ȝou shewe..What ioie þeih sholen han ifere, Þat seruen god on eorþe here. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 1080 Þas þat þe world serves and loves, Serves þe devel. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 632 Ȝe..serve sory idolus þat ȝou in sinne brynge. 1535 Psalms cxlviii. 14 The children of Israel, euen the people that serueth him. 1575 W. Painter (rev. ed.) I. lvi. f. 248 Now make accompt of your pilgrimage here, and serue no more such Sainctes. 1597 in J. Stuart (1841) I. 157 The Devill thy maister, quhome thow seruis. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. v. 118 Sure, one of you do's not serue heauen well, that you are so cross'd. View more context for this quotation 1673 J. Milton Sonnets xvi, in (new ed.) 59 Who best Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best. 1753 26 Dec. This is to be a good, and therefore a truly religious Man: This is indeed to serve God. 1810 S. Green I. 186 I did not think that London was yet such a sink of depravity, as to openly serve God and Satan on the same day. 1851 H. W. Longfellow ii. 48 For a whole century Had he been there, Serving God in prayer. 1903 23 Jan. You are waiting for a convenient season, when having served the devil for forty or fifty years, you may be able to slip into heaven. 1954 J. D. Smart vi. 109 One might serve Jesus Christ more effectively through some other channel than the Church. 2009 (Nexis) 18 July The only way to serve God is by not harming others and always be willing to help others. society > faith > worship > [verb (transitive)] c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1981) l. 756 (MED) Maumez..ne mahe nowðer helpen ham seoluen ne heom þet ham seruið [L. nec cultoribus]. c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) l. 75 Þer heo seruede gode Aȝenes þe paynes forbode; Þer he seruede criste Þat no payn hit ne wiste. c1440 (?a1400) l. 1220 (MED) He comande..To make a kyrke..And a couent therein, Criste for to serfe. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 6 Þe whech dey ȝe schull come to þe chyrch to serue God, and forto worschip the holy apostoll for þe speciall uertues þat he hade. 1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. f. 8 First serud on knees, the Maiestie deuine. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay xxiii. 391 The Spirits which were serued in Stockes and Images..were vncleane and mischieuous Spirits. a1603 T. Cartwright (1622) 42 In the presence of God, to serue him with praises for euermore. 1686 J. Evelyn (1955) IV. 527 Shewing the costome of the Primitive Saints of serving God with Hymns. 1702 N. Luttrell Diary in (1857) V. 221 500 protestants in Languedock met in a wood to serve God. 1842 Sept. 405 A monk, retired to his cloister for the declared purpose of serving God with fasting and prayer night and day. 1889 S. F. Hotchkin 253 They wore heavy shoes with iron nails, and were zealous in serving God with prayer and readings. 1988 M. M. Morris (1989) xi. 132 It was dignity she was earning, through frugality and cleanliness and serving the Lord every Sunday, singing all three services in her uncle's church. c1350 (Harl. 874) (1961) 200 (MED) Hij..seruen [v.r. seruyt] to Maumetrye. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. viii. 5 The whiche seruen to [1611 King James Who serue vnto; L. deserviunt] the saumpler and schadewe of heuenly thingis. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) xcix. 1 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 231 Serues to lauerd in fainenes [L. servite Domino in laetitia]. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Comm. on Canticles (Univ. Oxf. 64) in (1884) 504 All vnrightwismen, that seruys till the deuyll as his trew knyghtis. 1661 J. Pringle tr. Hermas iii. iv. 90 How can a man who serveth not to God, ask any thing from God and obtain it? 1752 J. Hervey (1760) II. 24 May I serve to the Sun of Righteousness, as a Cloud is subservient to the Sun in the Firmament. 3. society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)] > parents c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 9072 To cwemenn ure faderr wel. & ure moderr baþe. To lutenn hemm. to lefftenn hemm. To serrfenn hemm well ȝerrne. 1623 R. Aylett ii. 17 Duly obey and serue thy Parents deare. 1794 W. Jones tr. ii. 45 As he who digs deep with a spade comes to a spring of water, so the student, who humbly serves his teacher, attains the knowledge which lies deep in his teacher's mind. 1888 W. J. Colville ix. 183 You can serve your father and mother from pure love..; when they tell me what to do I do it because I love them, and because I love them I choose to please them. society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (transitive)] society > authority > subjection > service > feudal service > serve feudal superior [verb (transitive)] c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1963) l. 2424 He saruede [c1275 Calig. herde] þan kinge mid halle his mihte. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. iii. l. 203 Hit bicomeþ For a kyng..To ȝiue meede to men þat mekeliche him seruen. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4639 Thou servest a full noble lorde That maketh thee thrall for thi rewarde. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 397 We serff a lord. Thir fysche sall till him gang. 1528 sig. g ijv To serve the kynge in warre and peace. 1611 Gen. xiv. 4 Twelue yeeres they serued Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth yeere they rebelled. View more context for this quotation 1676 R. Dixon 492 In a Feudal kingdom every Subject must love and serve his Prince. 1765 H. Walpole Let. 16 Oct. in (1824) II. 299 Serving a tyrant, who does not allow me many holiday-minutes, I am forced to seize the first that offer. 1830 I. D'Israeli III. viii. 164 Northumberland was serving a master for whose service he felt no zeal. 1870 27 Aug. 1023/1 He is the ‘vassal’ of the King, bound to serve him. 1957 N. Ike xiii. 252 Samurai were to be prepared at all times to serve their feudal lords with unswerving devotion. 2007 D. Walker & D. Gray 103 Tied to the land and bound to serve their lord, the serfs' freedom of movement is severely restricted. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 436 For he Ay lely has serwyt to me. 1590 E. Spenser ii. viii. sig. T3 But O th'exceeding grace Of highest God, that loues his creatures so..That blessed Angels, he sends to and fro, To serue to wicked man, to serue his wicked foe. society > authority > subjection > service > feudal service > perform feudal service [verb (intransitive)] society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > payment or service to feudal superior > pay service [verb (intransitive)] 1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden 272 At Excester when hee [sc. the King] made any Expedition by Land or by Sea, this Citie served [L. serviebat] after the rate of V. Hides of Land. 1726 T. Madox i. 7 When there was an Expedition by Land or by Sea, this City served as for Five hides of Land. 4. the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > a command or law society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)] society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)] > execute command a1325 St. Brendan (Corpus Cambr.) l. 24 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 181 Þer he miȝte alone be [emended in ed. to beo] to serui Godes wille. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 161 Þus renneth on to oþer..till the Emperours entent be serued. a1450 (?a1300) (Caius) (1810) l. 1180 Gretes wel,..Bothe myn erchebysschopys tway, And so ye doo the chaunceler, To serve the lettre in all maner, In no maner the lettre fayle. 1533 N. Glossope Let. in B. Cusack (1998) 199 He wyll sarue yowre commaundementt. a1639 H. Wotton Char. Happy Life in (1651) 522 How happy is he born and taught, That serveth not an others will? 1678 R. Cudworth tr. Lactantius in iv. 280 All their other Gods..variously appointed and constituted, so as to serve his command and beck. 1755 J. Wesley in (Rev. vi. 8) 696 The four Horsemen..are in all Ages subject to Christ, subsisting by his Power, and serving his Will. a1822 P. B. Shelley With Guitar in (1833) Jan. 79 Ariel still Has track'd your steps, and served your will. 1899 I. Abrahams xii. 127 My patients are hard masters. I, their slave, spend my days in serving their will. 1916 Aug. 490/1 Good men and women do not die even to the world wherein they served the will of God in their own lifetime. 2019 (Nexis) 13 Jan. His decision has quite rightly angered millions who believe that the purpose of Parliament is to serve the will of the people. the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be content or satisfied with [verb (transitive)] > content or satisfy > a desire or appetite a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. l. 647 For bot his lust be fully served, Ther hath no wiht his thonk deserved. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) l. 9054 (MED) As a norysshe on hyr enfaunt Thow art euere attendaunt To ffostren hym..And to serue hys appetyt. 1580 H. Gifford ii. sig. Q.2v And in his purse, to serue his neede, Not one deneere he had. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay iv. xxxvi. 159 To serue their insatiable and damnable auarice. 1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in sig. K3v Many there were that did his picture gette To serue their eies. 1697 H. Prideaux 154 It appears how much he made his Imposture serve his Lust. 1785 W. Cowper ii. 138 The very elements, though each be meant The minister of man, to serve his wants, Conspire against him. 1845 W. Whitman in May 481/1 Margery served our wants with a deal of politeness. 1900 G. B. Churchill 250 Winning his favor by serving his lust with lovely women. 2016 (Nexis) 3 Sept. 13 Barons ruled the castle and serfs served their every need. the mind > language > speech > agreement > consent > consent to [verb (transitive)] > concede to or comply with c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 1685 Quod Alexander belyue, ‘all þis I graunt, And els any othire thing aske & be serued’. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 226 Quhone servit is all vther man,..No thing I gett nor conqueis can. 5. a. society > occupation and work > working > [verb (transitive)] > be occupied with society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [verb (transitive)] > serve c1330 (Auch.) (1991) l. 78 Þus þeih seruen þe chapele and laten þe chirche stonde. a1402 J. Trevisa tr. (Harl.) 31 (MED) Clerkes..þat lede her lif as lewide men..Clerkes þat folewiþ Crist, as prestes þat serueþ þe auter, & beþ occupied in holy seruise of God. 1477–9 in H. Littlehales (1905) 80 Paid to Iohn Modley, for servyng the quere for þe termeȝ of Mydsomer & Mighelmasse. a1500 (c1410) (Hunterian) (1980) ii. 177 (MED) Þey þat seruyn þe auter schul lyuyn be þe auter. 1565 W. Allen ii. x. f. 218 Suche as woulde professe the trueth, and serue the altare. 1573 in A. Feuillerat (1908) 218 For the children that served the Mask. 1622 (?a1513) W. Dunbar (Reidpeth) (1998) I. 243 The ballance gois vnevin, That thow, allece, to serff hes kirkis sevin. 1630 M. Godwin tr. F. Godwin i. 113 His Chappell was served by a Deane, a Subdeane, a Chanter, thirty fiue Singers. 1673 W. Cave iii. ii. 253 A Gentile Player that served the Theatre. 1754 A. Butler v. 46 Christ..inspired his Church to admit only Virgins to serve his Altar. 1840 K. H. Digby (1847) III. x. ii. 240/1 His monasteries were served by priests from without. 1868 E. A. Freeman II. x. 458 He found his church small, poor, served only by four or five canons. 1892 J. H. Pollen 358 In the following year he came on the English Mission, which he served for seven years. 1919 11 Jan. 12/3 George Tait and Franklin Pallat..acted as acolytes and served the altar. 2016 (Nexis) 5 Mar. 29 He entered the congregation ministry serving the church in Goombungee. 1530 xxxvi. f. lxxxxvi Then may the ordynary set in a deputye to serue the cure. 1569 Bp. J. Parkhurst Injunct. in (1868) 404/2 That no Parson Vicar, propriatorie or fermer of any benefice, doe admit any Minister or Curate to serue his said benefice, vnlesse [etc.]. 1659 J. Rushworth 605 A sufficient preaching Minister shall be provided..to serve the Cure. 1714 E. Freke (2001) 114 Any corparett body or pryvatte person hath the right and converts the proffitts of an ecclestiasticall liveing to his or theire own use, only mainetaineing a vicker or curatte to serve the cure. 1885 c. 54 §9 The whole of the stipends to the curates serving any such benefice shall not exceed [etc.]. 1921 6 May 7/2 [At the church of St. Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London.] An Army Chaplain always serves the cure. 2014 24 July 7/2 Both of the incumbents who served the parish during that time..were sufficiently concerned about the innovation [sc. the ordination of women priests] to become Roman Catholics. the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > an office or function a1450 (?c1405) in J. Kail (1904) 24 Let eche man serue his charge in skylle. 1557 in A. J. Warden (1872) 335 Albeit he hes not seruit dewtie in all poyntis as become him of ye Craft. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 256 They do you wrong to put you so oft vpon't. Are there not men in your Ward sufficient to serue it? View more context for this quotation 1691 in C. Bailey (1856) 175 David Wavell shall be discharged and excused from serving the Offices of Low Bailiffe, High Bailiffe. 1711 Act 10 Anne c. 24 in (1963) IX. 684 (title) An Act..for exempting Apothecaries from serving Parish and Ward Offices. 1786 R. Burns (1968) I. 242 As lieve then I'd have then, Your Clerkship he should sair. 1886 C. E. Pascoe (ed. 3) xxvi. 240 The Lord Mayor..must have served the office of sheriff. 1973 29 Sept. 29/3 Brown shall also serve the position of supervisor of soccer. 1997 (Lenoir-Rhyne Coll., N. Carolina) Fall 22/1 Yoder had been asked to serve the presidency of his alma mater. 2014 63 108 He served the office of President with distinction and great pride. 6. a. To complete (a fixed term of apprenticeship); to work (an apprenticeship, a period of apprenticeship) to a trade, master, etc. Later also in weakened sense: to work in a junior or less challenging role in preparation for a more senior or responsible position. Frequently in to serve an apprenticeship (to). See also to serve (one's) time at Phrases 8, to serve out 1 at Phrasal verbs.society > education > learning > [verb (transitive)] > serve apprenticeship 1348 in C. Welch (1902) I. 4 Also that none of the crafte grete ne smale purloine othirs alowes ayenst thassente & wille of his first mastir afore he haue fulli serued his terme. c1450 (c1400) (Huntington) (1942) 29 (MED) Who-so..ne serueþ nouȝt his terme, he lest his hure. 1562 in W. H. Turner (1880) 293 He served his apprentycehode. 1621 (single sheet) The lawes of the kingdome authorise all persons, that haue serued an Apprentiship.., lawfully to set vp and vse that trade. 1668 C. Bee 2 Mr. Poole has served an Apprenticeship to the Trade (as every Bookseller should). 1739 30 Those who have served no Apprenticeships, and who undersell the Free Trader. 1798 in T. J. Howell (1819) XXVI. 1065 I served four years to Mr. Latouche of Marley. To what business?—A gardener. 1864 Apr. 36 The waiters were..mostly sons of other hotel-keepers serving an apprenticeship. 1916 51 403 He began to serve his apprenticeship in the year 1856 at the Hetton Collieries. 1971 3 Oct. d14/3 After serving four years as an apprentice, he founded his own [printed won] printing shop. 2007 20 Feb. 34/3 He served a voluntary apprenticeship to museum work in the Fitzwilliam. 1597 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 256 + 4 Must I not serue a long apprentishood, To forreine passages. View more context for this quotation 1603 T. Dekker et al. sig. H3 When a quarrell enters into a trade it serues seauen yeares before it be free. 1693 107 Some old nonsensical Translations which have serv'd a Patriarch's age to the Library of Moore-fields. 1768 L. Sterne I. 72 Had I served seven years apprenticeship to good breeding, I could not have done as much. 1837 T. Carlyle I. iv. iii. 186 Or shall we say: Insurrection has now served its Apprenticeship. 1946 H. Read iv. 92 Only a people serving an apprenticeship to nature can be trusted with machines. 2012 K. Dutton iii. 94 Tit for tat—a mantra that had undoubtedly served its apprenticeship in the ranks of the lower animals before we got our hands on it. 1562–3 Act 5 Elizabeth I c. 4 §21 in (1963) IV. i. 419 To serve as Apprentice..to any suche Arte Misterye or Manuell Occupacion. 1609 W. Shakespeare xix. 201 Serue by indenture, to the common hang-man. View more context for this quotation 1702 W. Bohun 332 After the manner of an Apprentice, to live and serve from the day of the date of the said Indenture. 1794 T. W. Williams I. 116 The apprentice serving under the indenture is intitled to the benefit of the apprenticeship. 1835 1st Rep. Commissioners Munic. Corporations Eng. & Wales App. iii. 1667 in (H.C. 116) XXIV. 1 A person bound to a free mariner..for seven years, and having served during that period. 1931 E. Ferber i. 16 She..had served as apprentice draughtsman in the hive-like offices of Barnes & Halperin. 2017 E. Maisiri in P. Ngulube xi. 212 The learning..can take place through formal art education, or as an apprentice serving under an expert. the mind > emotion > love > a lover > be lover of [verb (transitive)] a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 36 (MED) Nys kyng, cayser, ne clerk wiþ croune þis semly seruen þat mene may seme. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. l. 1169 (MED) Thus mot I nedly to hire drawe: I serve, I bowe, I loke, I loute. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iv. l. 448 But as here man I wole ay lyue and sterue And neuere oþer creature serue. a1500 (c1370) G. Chaucer (BL Add.) (1886) l. 40 Love hath me taught nomore of his art But serve al wey, and stynt for no woo. 1562 A. Brooke tr. M. Bandello f. 3 What booteth me to loue and serue a fell vnthankfull one. 1590 E. Spenser iii. vii. sig. Ii8 That gentle Lady, whom I loue and serue. a1657 W. Mure Misc. Poems in (1898) I. 15 Still sall I hir adoir and serwe. 1719 viii. 95 It was unreasonable that so worthy a Person should be served by an unfaithful Lover. 1781 W. Cowper 119 Can he that serves the Fair do less? 1819 Ld. Byron 29 June A Neapolitan Prince..serves the wife of the Gonfaloniere. 1842 C. G. Addison xiv. 364 The priest who worked for the Lord was called serjens de Dieu, and the lover who served the lady of his affections serjens d'amour. 1906 Oct. 352/2 I lingered for the pure joy of serving and loving the Señorita. 2002 P. Hammond ii. 98 The Italianate courtly imagery of the lover serving his mistress and dying for unrequited love. 8. society > armed hostility > military service > make into soldier [verb (transitive)] > serve (a commander) c1380 (1879) l. 450 (MED) Þe kyng suþþe mad me knyȝte to seruie him in is werre. 1439–40 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1439 §62. m. 1 Capptaines, that have afore this endented with the king, to serve hym in the feet of werr. 1518 J. Stile Let. 11 Feb. in H. Ellis (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 193 For otherwise he [sc. the gunner] wol go to serve the King of Portugale. 1594 in T. Stretton (2008) 86 He..hath served her majestie in her warres as a dromsteyr. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. vii. 144 What Captain seruest thou? Soul. Vnder Captaine Gower. 1649 No. 1. 6 Some of them are to go for Prussia, to serve the King of Poland, against the Cossacks. 1669 tr. Duc de Guise iv. 387 All the rest that served Spain, having gone ashore..with all his Camerades, and greatest part of the Officers, to hear Mass. 1710 J. Swift 18 Nov. (1948) I. 98 He had two hundred thousand men ready to serve her [sc. the queen] in the war. 1764 R. Burn 179 Let them be forced to serve the king in his fleet. 1786 R. Burns 220 I'd better gaen an' sair't the king, At Bunker's hill. 1821 W. Scott I. i. 20 I have learned to be dangerous upon points of honour ever since I served the Spaniard. 1896 A. E. Housman i. 2 We pledge in peace by farm and town The Queen they served in war. 1912 C. W. C. Oman (1913) ii. 35 The Brunswick Oels regiment..served Wellington from 1811 to 1814. 1979 J. Rathbone i. xiii. 128 General Calvinet was an old man who had served Buenoparte [sic] well in Italy. 2010 89 4 He left home at age thirteen to serve the king in war. society > armed hostility > military service > serve as a soldier [verb (intransitive)] 1430 in J. Robertson (1862) IV. 391 I..sall serff witht iii hors qwyll my fader leffis and efter hym witht sex. 1518 J. Stile Let. 11 Feb. in H. Ellis (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 192 The said master George gonner..wol not in no wise serve any lenger here. 1568 Ezek. xxix. 18 Nabuchodonozor..caused his armie to serue a great seruice against Tyrus. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay i. xvii. 19 b [He] sent his gally..to serue in the warres. 1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero 95 The Ianizers, who serue with muskettes of longer and bigger bore then those of the germans. 1632 P. Massinger i. i. sig. B2v You are Sr. A knight of Malta, and as I have heard, Have serv'd against the Turke. 1744 T. Birch 201 He..then went to Scotland, where he served in the army till 1655. 1855 G. C. Lewis II. 298 Pay had been introduced, in order to overcome the reluctance of the citizens to serve. 1869 E. A. Parkes (ed. 3) 268 The 84th Regiment, in which I formerly served. 1932 1 Nov. 4/6 During the War this ship served in the Indian Ocean. 2016 (Nexis) 30 Jan. An Army sergeant from Glendale serving in Iraq was killed earlier this week. society > travel > travel by water > seafaring life > practice the calling of a sailor [verb (intransitive)] 1672 10 Apr. (single sheet) All Protections..whereby the Seamen or Mariners serving in any Merchants Ship, or in the Ship of any Privateer, are exempted..from being Prest and taken into the Service of His Majesties Fleet, shall cease. 1786 T. Martyn in 17 Those who have served on board Privateers, or Merchantmen. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in 4 [He had] served a year On board a merchantman, and made himself Full sailor. 1880 28 Apr. 1/1 (advt.) [The] examination..shall be open to any person serving or about to serve in the Mercantile Marine. 1923 J. Addams & E. W. Case 440 He worked in a brickyard at eight and served on a fishing smack at twelve. 2017 (Nexis) 12 Feb. His fascination with the ocean started when he served in the merchant navy during WWII. society > authority > subjection > slavery or bondage > be a slave [verb (intransitive)] a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xiv. 3 Thin harde seruage [L. servitute], that thou beforn seruedist [L. servisti]. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) l. 6236 (MED) We had leyuer euermare to serue in egipte wiþ sorou & care. 1534 W. Marshall tr. Erasmus f. 157 Thyselfe also hast ben bonde & haste serued in Egypte. 1611 Exod. i. 13 The Egyptians made the children of Israel to serue with rigour. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton iii. 377 Serving as of old Thir Fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd. View more context for this quotation 1874 F. C. Cook (xii. 40) 301/2 The expressions here used apply to Egypt and not to Canaan, in which the Patriarchs were certainly not made to serve. 1994 S. Kurinsky 169 In Exodus, the Hebrews remain specifically an alien group serving in Egypt. 10. figurative. society > authority > subjection > slavery or bondage > be slave of [verb (transitive)] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Gal. iv. 3 So and we, whanne we weren litile, weren seruynge vndir [a1425 L.V. we serueden vndur; 1611 King James were in bondage vnder] the elementis of the world. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Titus iii. 3 We weren sum tyme vnwyse, vnbileueful, erringe, and seruynge to desyris, and dyuerse voluptees. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. l. 65 It is the cuppe whom he serveth. ?a1475 Lessons of Dirige (Douce) l. 201 in J. Kail (1904) 127 I seruyd syn, and was hys knaue. 1535 Titus iii. 3 For we oure selues also were..seruynge lustes. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus f. 135 Suche persones as serven onely the throte & the bealye. 1658 J. Owen iv. 87 He was entred into Temptation, and served his lust in all that he did. 1824 Jan. 17 His freedom, as a man, will depend on the determination of his free-will in regard to serving God, or serving sin and the enemies of God. 1905 Mar. 153/1 However long a man may have served sin, and however tightly he may be held in its meshes, yet it has no necessary right over him. 2015 (Nexis) 21 Apr. God controls all events but not for the good of people serving their lusts. the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > accept without resistance [verb (transitive)] > give in or submit to action, treatment, or events c1400 (?c1380) l. 235 (MED) Styffe stremes..drof hem dryȝlych adoun þe depe to serue. 1607 A. Gorges in S. Purchas (1625) IV. x. xiv. 1941 Euery one was inforced rather to looke to his owne safetie, and with a low saile to serue the Seas, then to beat it vp against the stormy winds to keepe together, or to follow the directions for the places of meeting. 1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan v. 200 To guide the helme the maister dreads: To port, to weare, or serue the seas, The labouring ship he cannot ease [L. nescitque magister Quam frangat, cui cedat aquae]. 11. society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (transitive)] > serve customer in shop c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. ii. l. 190 Marchaundes..Bi-souȝten him in heore schoppes to sullen heore ware, Apparayleden him as a prentis, þe Peple for to serue. ?1536 R. Copland sig. D.i Bakers & brewers, that with musty grayne, Serue theyr customers, must take it agayne. 1610 R. Vaughan sig. E3v If a better Customer come, they are sure to be serued last. 1664 T. Killigrew Thomaso ii. iv. in 339 Here, prithee good fore-woman of the shop serve me, and I'll be gone. 1725 D. Defoe I. xii. 178 If I am at any other part of the shop, and see him serving a customer, I never interrupt them. 1833 C. Lamb Ellistoniana in 34 E…was serving in person two damsels fair, who had come into the shop ostensibly to inquire for some new publication. 1839 C. Dickens xxxviii. 375 [Squeers loq.] You came to the right shop for mercy when you came to me, and thank your stars that it is me as has got to serve you with the article. 1851 181 My wife told me she noticed the shopkeeper served other people before her, though she came first. 1901 W. W. Jacobs 135 Knocking on the mantelpiece all night with twopence and wanting to know why he wasn't being served. 1969 17 Dec. 11/6 A member of my staff last week went to one of the largest stores in London to buy a stylus for a record player, but the assistant refused to serve her. 2012 (Nexis) 24 Oct. 12 The female shopkeeper served her without asking for any form of ID. society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (intransitive)] > keep shop or work in shop 1759 W. Bromfield 8 I asked a young man that served in the shop, if he could procure me something by way of substitute. 1825 W. Hone (1826) I. 49 All the pastrycooks always try to get handsome ladies to serve in the shop! 1863 E. C. Gaskell I. vii. 130 Is na' this Hester, as serves in Foster's shop? 1951 R. Campbell vii. 106 His grown-up sons..served at the counter inside. 2017 (Nexis) 10 June 19 Fred claimed he was serving in the store from the time he could look above the counter. society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (transitive)] > serve customer in shop > hand (goods) to customer 1857 28 Mar. 76/1 She had seen the meat that his rival served to customers. 1873 July 24 Of all precious disagreeable articles our shop serves, treacle's the worst. 1929 26 Feb. 13/6 A shopkeeper may be prosecuted for serving cigarettes to children. 2010 2 Nov. Posters in the window stated the shop did not serve fireworks to under-18s. 12. society > morality > duty or obligation > [verb (intransitive)] > have the office to do something a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. l. 5336 Asmod, which was a fend of helle, And serveth, as the bokes telle, To tempte a man of such a wise. society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (intransitive)] > discharge official duty 1477–9 in H. Littlehales (1905) 80 To the same Iohn..seruyng as a paressh Clerke, for his wages, xiij s iiij d. 1581 W. Lambarde ii. xiii. 437 Bothe Gentlemen and Knights doe serue in the Parliament as members of the Comminaltie. 1632 in S. R. Gardiner (1886) 178 None are excused from tryalls of jurie and serving in juries under the degree of a noble man. 1698 (1740) xvii. 16 Several Gentlemen of this Island have heretofore refused to serve as Assemblymen. 1777 July 73 Written Law..addressed to all such Persons as are liable to serve on Juries. 1804 W. Cruise III. 221 The Crown's having power to compel a subject to be a sheriff, and to fine him for refusing to serve. 1851 Apr. 419 Members returned to serve in Parliament. 1880 XIII. 786/1 The class of persons entitled and liable to serve on special juries. 1923 625 For nine years he was clerk of the school board and for four years served on the county board. 2017 (Nexis) 12 Oct. 10 It is actually unlawful for an employer to dismiss you if you are unavailable for work due to serving on a jury. a1601 W. Lambarde (1641) i. 2 Sir Henry Piercy was chosen Knight for two severall Counties, and thereupon it was adjudged by the House, that he should serve for that County, which first chose him. 1654 No. 172. 1374 In every Parliament to be held successively, thirty persons shall be called from and serve for Scotland. 1721 N. Bailey at Burgess One that serves for a Borough in Parliament. 1765 W. Blackstone I. ii. 171 The clerk of the crown in chancery..issues out writs to the sheriff of every county, for the election of all the members to serve for that county, and for every city and borough therein. 1834 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in ⁋10 When Parliament met in 1735, Thomas made his election to serve for Oakhampton. 1971 R. E. Ruigh ii. 61 Pontefract willingly accepted Sir Henry Holcroft as its first member, but, when Holcroft elected to serve for Stockbridge, Pontefract refused to name Robert Mynne as his successor. 1648 King Charles I 17 Oct. (single sheet) All other persons..shall not sit, or serve Members, or assistants in neither House of Parliament. 1676 (1910) 19 Mr. Dickonson promisd me to serve Church warden next year if I would excuse him this. 1708 E. Hatton I. Introd. p. xxvii/2 If those chosen to serve Sheriff do not hold, they are fined. 1781 M. J. Armstrong II. 105 He served member for Norfolk in the parliament. 1868 J. Timbs I. 62 The father was Alderman of Bread-street Ward, who served sheriff in 1849. 1891 2 187 [He] died in 1562, leaving a son, Sir Henry, who served Sheriff in 1565. 1975 2 122 The vestry was open to all who had served constable upwards except ‘such as are scandalous in their lives and conversations’. 2013 (City of London) 41 In his civic career he served Alderman of the Ward of Cordwainer since 2004. 13. Christian Church (now chiefly Roman Catholic Church). society > faith > worship > parts of service > response > respond [verb (transitive)] > serve society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > person in minor orders > acolyte > [verb (transitive)] > to assist at mass society > faith > worship > sacrament > communion > mass > celebrate mass [verb (transitive)] > as server a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 8839 (MED) Þe dekene..serued seynt Ion. ?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena (Harl.) (1966) 343 (MED) Whanne sche seyde þat sche wolde be hoselid and resceyue þe blessid body of Crist, þe mynystre which seruede þe prest wolde not warne hym. 1538 T. Elyot Camillus et Camilla, was in old tyme a boy, or a wenche that seruyd the byshop, whan he dydde sacrifyce. 1595 in J. H. Pollen (1892) vi. 108 It was proved he had served a priest to Mass some three days before this happened. 1696 E. Phillips (new ed.) Tunic,..a Church Ornament among the Romanists, worn by the Deacons that serve the Priest or Bishop at the Altar. 1728 D. Williams tr. P. F. Le Courayer iv. vii. 176 The principal Function of a Deacon..is to serve the Priest at the Celebration of the Holy Mysteries. 1836 22 Dec. 18/2 Two Acolytes, or boys, who serve the priests in the altar, who were succeeded by others walking in couples. a1894 W. Pater (1896) ii. 39 At the great ecclesiastical seasons..Gaston and his fellows ‘served’ Monseigneur. 1931 (Loyola College, Maryland) 16 Oct. 10/3 Mr. C. Edward Storck and Mr. Jerry Egan served the celebrant. 2017 (Nexis) 24 Feb. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the priest at Holy Mass over so many years. society > faith > worship > sacrament > communion > mass > celebrate mass [verb (intransitive)] > as server 1532 tr. G. van der Goude i. xxx. sig. i.iv Maydens maye helpe and serue at the masse in necessyte, whiche they shal not do yf there be any man present that can do it. 1608 T. Price tr. O. Torsellino (new ed.) v. iii. 438 Sclauonian students were appointed..to assist and serue at high Masse. 1737 R. Challoner xv. 153 [The] Acolyth, whose Function is to serve at Mass. 1840 Jan. 248 The boy was diligent; in six months he knew how to read; six months afterwards he could serve at mass. 1898 29 June 23 At Mass, Barney..served for Father John with the like precision, deftness, and dazzling nonchalance he would for Father Dan. 1921 J. M. H. Soskice iii. 101 I had laughed one morning during mass when the boy who was serving slipped down the altar steps. 2016 J. Zafra 44 I have to serve at the 12 o'clock mass. society > faith > worship > sacrament > communion > mass > celebrate mass [verb (intransitive)] > as server 1579 G. Gilpin tr. P. van Marnix van Sant Aldegonde ii. ii. f. 93 Men might not without being furnished with certein reliques, erect anie altars to serue Masse vpon. 1622 J. Heigham tr. P. d'Outreman ii. v. 377 The Angells, for lack of asistants, haue some times them selues serued Masse. c1667 in (1906) 3 62 There was nothing more gratefull vnto him then to serue Masse, nor any more welcome to the Priest he serued. 1768 P. Baker ii. 113 Deliver us from all Evil, which is said by the Clerk who serves Mass. 1844 A. P. de Lisle in E. S. Purcell (1900) I. 122 Arno and Everard served the Mass. 1903 22 June 14/2 He first met Manning, whose 6 o'clock mass he served from the end of 1851 to 1854. 2009 (Nexis) 29 Sept. I've served Mass from the days when everything was in Latin. the world > animals > domestic animal > [verb (transitive)] > work for people c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 218 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale (1930) 867 He [sc. a hors] is a frely beeste, forthy he man serueth. 1569 T. Blague 22 (heading) Of an Asse that serued an vnkinde Maister. 1609 W. Cowper i. 161 Balaam will be offended if his beast serue him not according to his pleasure. 1692 R. L'Estrange ccviii. 178 A Certain Ass that serv'd a Gard'ner. 1782 110 At break of day, his docile oxen are ready to serve him. 1852 Mar. 229/1 An ass who served them in bringing wood from the forest. 1932 Oct. 10/2 Dogs and horses have served man for ages, and many have fallen by the way. 2003 I. Puthiadam iv. 67 He spotted an ox and a donkey serving a farmer. society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (transitive)] > discharge a duty or office society > occupation and work > working > [verb (transitive)] > work for (a body or company) 1621 cclxxiv. 61 There shall be allowance of two Moneths wages imprested aforehand, vnto all such persons as shall serue this Company in their Shipping to the East Jndies. 1632 21 Servants to the collony..are such, which adventuring onely their persons, are bounde by indenture to serve the said Earle and company in the plantation five yeares. 1705 tr. W. Bosman vii. 93 The best qualified for Merchandise and the Pen were chosen to serve the Company as Assistants. 1786 vii. 240 Men who had served the Company, without censure or complaint, for thirty years. 1848 H. H. Wilson III. i. 8 His retirement from public duty on account of failing health..called forth..a deserved tribute of acknowledgment from those whom he had long faithfully and ably served. 1879 W. E. Gladstone II. vi. 269 Another term of four years brought him back, the least Indian..of all the civilians who had ever served the Company. 1955 25 May 49/4 Mr. Branch..has served the corporation since 1912. 2014 (Nexis) 6 Aug. Kirkinis, who has served the company for many years, resigned with immediate effect. 16. the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > provide a service to society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (transitive)] > serve fully or diligently 1629 41 I..will be the readiest of all men to serue you in your trouble. 1638 Marquis of Hamilton Let. 1 Dec. in (1880) 64 Thinking my self most miserabill, in thatt I haue nat beine abill to serfe you as I uoold. 1658 W. Dugdale Let. 9 Nov. in (1827) 340 I..shall rest At your commands wherein I may serve you, W. Dugdale. 1727 Lady M. W. Montagu 28 June (1966) II. 80 I am sure whatever I can serve my poor Nieces and Nephews in, shall not be wanting on my Part. 1748 T. Smollett I. ii. 7 In all his calamities they never discovered the least inclination to serve him. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 130 He ardently desired to serve his fellow-creatures. 1828 T. B. Macaulay Hallam's Constit. Hist. in Sept. 106 Cranmer rose into favour by serving Henry in the disgraceful affair of his first divorce. 1867 G. MacDonald II. ii. 65 The lad thinks you were the ladies in serving whom he got into trouble. 1931 J. Galsworthy (1972) xii. 108 Will you lunch with me, and tell me how I can serve you? I will do anything you say to wipe out my mistake. 2018 (Nexis) 5 June All the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey last year brought out the best in Texans as they helped those in the storm's path reach safety and served them in their time of need. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > fame after death > make famous after death [verb (transitive)] > preserve in memory the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > strive for or after > strive or work for a cause 1644 T. Case 42 He deviseth how he may serve the Cavse, he studies which way he may do most good. 1711 J. Swift 25 Dec. (1948) II. 446 I have ordered a paragraph to be put in the Post-boy, giving an account of her death , and making honourable mention of her; which is all I can do to serve her memory. 1847 F. Marryat I. viii. 141 A tradesman or outlaw, who has served the cause. 1887 July 6 The ‘politicians’ who would anywhere get hold of its [sc. a political party's] organization, would get but an empty shell, unless they, too, bent themselves to serve the principle. 1913 1 Sept. 586/1 We are glad to note Mr. Boughton's conversion, and trust that he will use his ability to serve the movement. 1991 P. J. Geary tr. H. Fichtenau (1993) xviii. 404 Letald rejected those who wished to serve the reputation of a saint by lying and invention. 2014 (Nexis) 26 Feb. I wanted to understand more about the dynamics of peace and conflict, and find a way to serve the cause of peace. society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > be imprisoned [verb (intransitive)] > serve sentence 1830 23 Jan. 51/1 The meaning of the admonition, we suppose, must be, that if Miller be again condemned to five years' penal servitude, he must not grumble if compelled to serve ten. 1873 J. Greenwood 57 One lad..laid claim to have ‘served’ both in Maidstone gaol and the prison at Wandsworth. 1873 J. Greenwood 288 The virago who has just ‘served’ three months for a murderous assault. 1945 21 Apr. 6/7 A man..who was now serving in Wormwood Scrubs. 2017 J. Boakye 103 He's currently serving a 30-year stretch for involvement in the murder of a music producer, over a supposed diss track, in 2006. ** In extended senses. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > gratify sexually a1400 (c1250) (Egerton) (1966) l. 593 But no serieaunt may serue þerynne [sc. in a royal harem] Þat bereth in his breche þat gynne To serue hem day and nyȝt, But he be as a capon dyȝt. ?1570 T. Preston sig. Biij Ruf. I wil giue thee sixpence to lye one night with thee... Snuf. I wil giue her xviij. pnce to serue me first. 1658 E. Phillips 89 His six Sons there hard by him stand..; To shew he could his Lady serve as well as the Hollander. 1770 T. Bridges (ed. 3) II. ix. 122 And all the virgins in the town Expect they shall be ravish'd soon; If therefore you'll this time preserve 'em, At any time they'll let you serve 'em. 1820 J. Winston Diary 17 Jan. in (1974) 4 [He] said he had frequently three women to [stroke] during performance and that two waited while the other was served. 1937 ‘J. Curtis’ viii. 86 It was on the cards that Arthur could not serve her good. He looked a weakling sort of a bastard. 1993 ‘Snoop Doggy Dogg’ Doggy Dogg World in (transcribed from song) I flip flop and serve hoes with a fat dick. 2015 @Ricky_Vaughn99 15 May in twitter.com (accessed 24 Apr. 2018) He's serving our country so I'm serving his girl to make sure she's not lonely. 19. Chiefly Agriculture. the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (transitive)] > copulate with 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach iii. f. 148v At half a yeere old they [sc. boars] are able to serue [L. impleant] a Sowe. 1621 in J. Harland (1856) II. 248 Given to Sir Raphe's man, when the little black mare was served at the Abbie, ijs vjd. 1685 G. Meriton 342/1 A Stallion horse serving for Mares. 1792 T. H. Morland 29 The mare should be served the latter end of March. 1837 25 Aug. Premiums will be given in Spring for Draught and Blood Stallions to serve in the district. 1885 15 June 1/2 Camballo will serve a limited number of mares at 70 sovs. each. 1909 iv. 145 List of principal stallions serving in 1909. 1916 May 269/2 Probably not more than 50 ewes were served. 2017 (Nexis) 26 Jan. The five-year-old pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull that had served the cows was a fine specimen. 1780 W. Smellie tr. Comte de Buffon III. 344 A mare should be served, for the first time, with a large stallion. 1834 (Libr. Useful Knowl.) I. vii. 177 Had they had the good sense to serve them [sc. mule mares] with powerful stallion-asses, something useful might be produced. 1858 25 Nov. 1/1 A late writer in the Ohio Farmer, on the management of Durhams, recommends that heifers should be served to the bulls six weeks after calving, and then dried off. 1872 L. F. Allen 39 Waistell had reserved..that Charles should let all his cows be served to the bull as long as the latter owned him. 1896 1 May 3/1 He has ten grand, big cross cows, excellent milkers, which he serves with a pedigreed shorthorned bull. 1910 10 May 4/2 The second or wool type of Hampshire we get by selecting our heaviest shearing ewes and serving them with a ram of like characteristics. 2007 (Nexis) 7 Sept. s3 If fewer cows need to be served to a dairy bull, more beef calves can be produced. II. (Chiefly of things, primarily as a figurative use of senses in branch I.) To be subordinate, serviceable, or useful (to); to answer a purpose. †20. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 4 Þeo vttere riwle þet ich þuften cleopede & is monnes findles for nan þing elles nis heo italt bute to seruin þe inre. c1450 (1900) 194 Fastyng was made to serue prayere, & noȝt prayere to serue fastyng. Þerfore, prayere, þe heued, goth be-forn & þe handyll, fastyng, folowyth after him to be redy to seruyn hym, as þe heued of þe schouele is be-fore, & þe handyl þer-of is be-hynde to serue þe heued. ?1551 T. Becon xxi. sig. H.iiii (margin) Fasting to serue prayer. 1667 J. Milton v. 101 In the Soule Are many lesser Faculties that serve Reason as chief. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton viii. 87 That Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright. View more context for this quotation the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)] > help as subsidiary 1579 J. Brooke tr. P. Viret i. iii. f. 170 They dooe serue to more greater things, and that they are as the rudimentes. 1669 W. Holder 8 As was said of the Senses, to which they [sc. the tongue and pen] serve. 21. To have a definite use or function; to answer to a purpose; to bring about or be conducive to the achievement of something; to be able or available to be used for some desired end. Also with negative expressed or implied: to be of no use, not to avail. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > have a specific use c1300 St. Agnes (Laud) l. 51 in C. Horstmann (1887) 182 An hous þat seruede of bordel þare was bi-side. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 235 Wostow wher of a rakel tonge serueth? 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 8v An enuious man serueth of noght but to disprayse alle otheer. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 448 in (1934) ii. 558 (MED) All these instrumentis for the werre wrouht, Yif werr stynt, shuld serve of nouht. 1550 in J. H. Burton (1877) 1st Ser. I. 90 The fortis..be cassin doun becaus tha serve of na thing in tyme of pece. 1657 Earl of Monmouth tr. P. Paruta ii. viii. 175 The use of Fortresses are sometime according as place and occasion shall serve of no smal service. c1330 (Auch.) (1991) l. 282 To wraþþe God and paien þe Fend hit serueþ allermost. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. lxii. 1324 Vse of tapres serueþ to see by þe light þerof þinges þat ben in derknesse. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 797 Alle þe godus þat ȝe geten..Serven for to sustaine ȝour unsely wombe. 1526 Rev. xxii. 2 The leves off the wodde served to heale the people with all. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. xxv They will serue well to confute their Errours. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iv. xxxii. 296 The grape ripens not well..so as they serve only to eate. 1634 T. Herbert 211 [The dodo's wings] serue only to proue her Bird. 1659 J. Leak tr. I. de Caus 32 There is a Pipe with a Cock..which serves to temper the course of the Water. 1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Sigismonda & Guiscardo in 126 This little Brand will serve to light your Fire. 1768 O. Goldsmith i. 2 I'm sorry they taught him any philosophy at all; it has only serv'd to spoil him. 1850 Ld. Tennyson lxxv. 105 These..lullabies..May serve to curl a maiden's locks. View more context for this quotation 1871 B. Stewart (ed. 2) §91 The great latent heat of water serves to retard the melting of snow. 1915 25 Sept. 7/2 A play pen on the porch will serve to keep an older baby within safe bounds. 1964 W. C. Putnam x. 249/1 Soil cover serves to alleviate the starkness of a rock-dominated landscape. 2017 June 15/4 Plants, microbes and chemistry serve to keep environmental conditions stable. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > have a specific use ?c1335 (a1300) Land of Cokaygne l. 47 in W. Heuser (1904) 146 Watir seruiþ þer to no þing, Bot to siȝt and to waiissing. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. l. 635 (MED) Of Abstinence he wot no bounde, To what profit it scholde serve. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 2775 Penaunce to thole here with gude wille, Serves here til twa thynges by skille. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan (Cambr.) (1977) 101 (MED) The woordis serven to the sight of the herars. a1500 tr. A. Chartier (Rawl.) (1974) 108 (MED) Let the cronicles of thin own nacion serue to thi hoope. 1579 S. Gosson f. 33v As to the body, ther are many members, seruing to seuerall vses. 1613 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Epist. cxiii, in tr. Seneca (1614) 454 We lose our time in such disputes as serue to no purpose. 1662 E. Stillingfleet ii. iii. § 6 To what end do these miracles serve? 1690 J. Locke iii. vi. 218 Every Man's Words, being intelligible only to himself, would no longer serve to Conversation. 1737 D. Waterland 124 The Uses which they serve to. 1749 H. Fielding I. i. viii. 43 This served to many good Purposes. 1810 C. James (ed. 3) Plaster of Paris is a fossile stone..serving to many purposes in building. 1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton III. x. xiii. 166 How far his reasonings and patience served to his ends, remains yet to be seen. 1863 E. Bulwer-Lytton I. xi. 195 The times in which they were composed, and the purposes to which they served. the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [verb (transitive)] > serve for or as 1388 Inventory Westm. Abbey in (1890) 52 213 The Jessys serve for the oder fest of seynt Edward at crystmas... The blew myllys do s've for boyth the vygylles of seynt Edward synglarly. c1450–4 W. Paston in (2004) I. 151 Il seruit fore þe singlere now[m]ber and ilz for the plure noumbre. 1466 in J. C. Cox (1879) IV. 86 Another paynted clothe yt serves for worke dayes. 1528 sig. g vi For the best meate awaye they carve, Which for their harlottis must serve, With wother frendes of their kynne. 1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan ix. 385 Then they vnto that Temple came, That serues for all the Libian name. 1639 T. Fuller ii. iii. 46 This vision, though calculated for this one Bishop, did generally serve for all the non-residents which posted hither. 1669 W. Charleton Mysterie of Vintners in 174 The same Parell serves also for White Wines upon the Frett. 1671 E. Chamberlayne (ed. 5) ii. 79 Besides these Courts serving for the whole Province, every Bishop hath his Court held in the Cathedral of his Diocess. 1727 J. G. Scheuchzer tr. E. Kæmpfer II. App. 16 This kettle is to serve for the whole family all day long, to quench their thirst. 1839 Nov. 387 A single bed of hay or straw serves for the entire family. 1873 20 Dec. 264/1 The grand stand is a very trumpery affair, built to serve for the occasion only. 1911 July 20/1 Formerly a single idol would serve for a whole village. Now the demand is, one household one idol. 2014 5 Sept. 48/3 The floral arches for his wedding served for his funeral. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > have a specific use the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] > serve the purpose c1392 22 (MED) Thise last seid 9 diuisiouns in the midnyht lyne shollen seruen for Equacioun of the 8e spere. ?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 193, in at Serven Þe leues & þe floures seruen for medicines but þe stalke doiþ not. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 73 Gud ordinance that serd for his estate His cusyng maid at all tyme. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2431 (MED) Such circulacion Is..Bettir serving for seperacion And for correccion then for transmutacion. 1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius 14 Such Dogges as serue for fowling. 1599 E. Wright sig. F2 These numbers..serue only for the finding out of the degrees and minutes of latitude. 1646 Sir T. Browne iii. xxi. 161 Unto others it [sc. water] performs the common office of ayre, and serves for refrigeration of the heart. 1669 W. Holder 32 The Organs which serve for Articulation. 1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. I. 136 Dates..serve for the Subsistence of more than an hundred Millions of Souls. 1771 W. Hewson 128 Animal fat, is re-absorbed from the adipose membrane to serve for nourishment to the body. 1831 W. Scott Count Robert viii, in 4th Ser. III. 158 To clear a convenient part of the seats..that it might serve for the accommodation of Prince Tancred's followers. 1844 S. Tyler (1846) i. 51 The nerve of vision..can never serve for hearing. 1845 J. Martineau (1869) 2nd Ser. 20 This, however, though of very wide application, will not serve for the solution of every problem. 1901 M. C. Dickerson iii. 320 Any tightly covered box or dish, with a quantity of wet sawdust at the bottom, will serve for relaxing insects. 1960 16 Jan. 8/5 The ½ inch type [of steel cable] serves for deep-sea anchoring. 2015 (Nexis) 3 Dec. Corrugated hoses serving for the protection of electric cables. c1400 (?c1380) l. 331 What serueȝ tresor, bot gareȝ men grete When he hit schal efte wyth teneȝ tyne? c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 2374 Quat seruyd all þai sapient or sleȝt of batall? 1533 J. Heywood sig. Ciii Nother of them both that hath wyt nor grace To perceyue that both myllys may serue in place. 1573 G. Gascoigne tr. Ariosto Supposes i. ii, in 5 But this lighte serueth not very well, I will beholde it an other day, when the ayre is clearer. a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. (1823) xxx. ix What serves, alas, the blood of me When I with in the pitt doe bide? 1628 A. Leighton 186 In this case, the whiting, daubing, or palliating will not serve. 1693 i. 4 What serves this Distinction, but to insinuate, that those..are not Persons of Worth? 1786 R. Burns 198 If honest Nature made you fools, What sairs your Grammars? 1793 J. Smeaton (ed. 2) §209 It makes however excellent water mortar,..and will very well serve in those parts of the kingdom. 1815 J. Smith II. 343 If the manganese that has been once used, be exposed for some time to the air, it will serve again. a1822 P. B. Shelley Homer's Hymn to Mercury liii, in (1824) 312 When no evasion Served—for the cunning one his match had found. 1837 T. Carlyle I. vii. x. 389 Barricading serves not. 1868 C. M. Yonge II. xxxvii. 167 Prithee, brother, do not thus! What serves such passion? 2013 B. C. Smith in M. Baghramian xxiii. 203 Wittgenstein tells us which explanations won't serve. 22. a. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient [verb (intransitive)] a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1660 Al in wast þei wrouȝt here witte wold nouȝt serue. c1475 (1969) l. 634 Lo, here ys stoff wyll serue. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 122 in (1934) ii. 544 Wyn, frute, & oyle to serve thoruh the yeer Is brought to vynters. 1549 (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxvi Puttyng ye wyne into the Chalice, or els in some faire or conueniente cup, prepared for that vse (if the Chalice will not serue). 1662 E. Stillingfleet ii. iv. 4 Thus much may serve concerning the originall and institution of these Schools of the Prophets. 1730 D. Waterland 24 Causin de Eloquentia, or some other Rhetorick should be read... Yet Vossius in Octavo may serve, if you want Time to peruse the other. 1801 H. K. White Let. Apr. in (1807) I. 76 My father generally gives me one coat in a year, and I make two serve. 1808 W. Scott vi. xxiv. 352 Short greeting serves in time of strife. 1894 Oct. 44 Though as a husband you won't serve at all, You do fearfully well as a lover. 1951 ‘C. S. Forester’ (U.K. ed.) iv. 49 Never before in his life had he taken a taxi when a bus would serve. 2010 (Nexis) 4 Jan. Cover the whole plant with a plastic bucket or small bin. A large pot will serve, if you remember to cover the drainage holes. the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue > for a given period the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > be suitable, appropriate, or suit [verb (intransitive)] > be adequate for the case or conditions 1497 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1497 §13. m. 6 As myche of the goodez..as shall serve for the payment of suche somme. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xxxixv Reed wethy is beste in marsshe grounde, asshe, maple, hasell, and whytethorne woll serue for a tyme. 1620 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher iv. 42 Bestow on me..so much as may serue to keepe That little peece I hold of life, from cold and hunger. 1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer 9 Which [provision] a man must husband as he thinks best; it is to serve for the whole week. 1836 Oct. 223 A few specimens that sparkled in a magazine..served to meet the demand for ephemeral, and the lightest of all reading. 1879 G. MacDonald Laverock in lxii, iii A hert for the micht o' 't Wad sair for nine men. 1920 Mar. 28/2 They young women..average about $9 each week, which more than serves to keep them clothed. 2016 B. Van Hook viii. 202 Research for one would serve for the other. the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious [verb (intransitive)] the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > be approved or gain acceptance [verb (intransitive)] the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > be approved or gain acceptance [verb (intransitive)] > be acceptable 1593 T. Bilson xi. 200 Much more might be saide; but this may suffice for those that haue not wedded their iudgements to their appetites: as for such, nothing wil serue, except it please their humors. 1598 W. Shakespeare i. ii. 108 The worlde was very guiltie of such a Ballet some three ages since, but I thinke now tis not to be found: or if it were, it would neither serue for the writing, nor the tune. View more context for this quotation 1712 J. Arbuthnot iii. 16 Will nothing less than Hanging serve (quoth Jack)? a1835 J. Affleck (1836) 27 Their sermons winna ser' wi' me. 1837 T. Carlyle II. iii. ii. 150 Nothing will serve but you must gather your wayworn limbs, and thoughts, and ‘speak to the multitudes’. 2001 (Nexis) 6 July n3 Although we have a fantastic indoor pool.., sometimes nothing will serve but a swim in the sun. 23. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > specifically of bodily faculty or organ a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 463 Min eiȝen sorly aren sogettes to serue min hert, & buxum ben to his bidding as boie to his master. a1450 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Claud.) (1974) l. 624 (MED) & þou so dronken be þat þy tonge wole not serue þe, þenne folowe þow not..But þou mowe the wordes say. 1553 T. Wilson (1580) 214 And yet his tongue serued hym well otherwise, to vtter what soeuer came in his hedde. 1599 R. Surflet tr. A. Du Laurens iv. ii. 176 The teeth which serue vs to bite and chaw our meate. 1668 R. L'Estrange tr. F. G. de Quevedo y Villegas (1702) ii. 58 Will your Teeth serve you now to fetch out the Marrow of this Prophesy? a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1681 (1955) IV. 239 Her Eyes yet serving her as well as ever. 1743 H. Baker v. 44 Their Arms serve them both to swim with, and to attack their prey. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in 2nd Ser. II. 135 ‘And where are the two women?’ said Sharpitlaw. ‘Both made their heels serve them, I suspect.’ 1895 Apr. 383 Their eyes serve them to a greater extent than simply to discern light from darkness. 1964 M. Morris in K. Ramchand & C. Gray (1972) 18 You retired from teaching—as you had to, When body couldn't serve your eager will. 2013 (Nexis) 16 June 39 Our noses have been serving us perfectly well for centuries. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. i. 164 Þe arteries serueþ þe herte; and veines [L. vene] serueþ þe lyuer. a1450 in J. Kail (1904) 64 (MED) The heued..Haþ foure to his gouernyng: Mouþ and nose, and eyen wiþ-al, Eryn..To serue þe brayn is pryncypal Chef of counseil ymagenyng, To caste before. 1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 68, in Tenasmus..is an vlcer in the right gutte seruing the fundament. 1669 S. Sturmy v. xii. 49 Two Screws fitted to serve the four holes. a1750 W. Gibson (1751) ii. vi. 68 The Rete Mirabile, and Pleus Choroides..help to serve the Brain and its Membranes. 1878 R. L. Stevenson 4 Here and there a flight of steps to serve a ferry. 1929 Dec. 695/1 A single air cleaner serves the two carburetors. 2015 J. M. Rippe xv. 221 All the nerves that serve the normal heart are severed. the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. i. 165 Þise membres serueþ iche oþir..for þe ouer ȝeueþ influens and gouernaunce to þe neþire; and þe neþire holdeþ vp þe ouere. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 3545 For-birth, he said, quat serues me? a1450 (?a1300) (Caius) (1810) l. 56 Anon the sayl up thay drowgh, The wynd hem servyd wel inowgh. 1540 J. Palsgrave in tr. G. Gnapheus Ep. Ded. sig. b ij He hath maystered the latinitie, and forced it to serue hym, to set forthe to all clerkes his intent and purpose. 1565 W. Allen ii. xvii. f. 283 Which forme of argument serued the Arians against the consubstantiall vnitye of God the father, and his son our sauiour. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 441 That scuse serues many men to saue their gifts. View more context for this quotation 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta ii. vi. 94 It brings forth a great aboundance of reedes..which serves them to a thousand vses. 1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius 405 We knew the Convoy he intended us, would serve us in no stead. 1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse (1844) IV. 178 If my going to Milan, or going anywhere, would serve you, I would joyfully go directly. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor viii, in 3rd Ser. III. 118 May your penitence avail you before God; with me it shall serve you nothing. 1853 C. Dickens iii. 23 I had youth, and hope. I believe, beauty... Neither of the three served, or saved me. 1855 F. A. Paley in tr. Aeschylus Agamemnon in 308/2 The readings of the MSS…may be made to serve both sides of the question. 1918 28 Jan. 5/5 Shimidzu's superior stamina served him in good stead. 1950 11 Sept. 4/2 All manner of evidence is available about his patience, and how well this trait served him. 2002 D. Boyarin in J. C. Anderson et al. 238 A historical and sociological explanation serves us very well here. the mind > possession > sharing > share [verb (transitive)] > be shared by or used in common by the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > be used by a number of people in common 1418 in F. J. Furnivall (1882) 32 That than the forsaide ij. vestmentes shull remayne & duelle still alwey in the forsaide Chaunterie to serue the prestes of the same Chaunterie. 1563 in F. Collins (1902) I. 93 A graie stoned horse to serve the towneshippe. 1620 T. Scott sig. Cv For their armes they are so ill provided, that one corselet serveth many men. 1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage I. ii. vii. 140 A wretched flock-bed, covered with a doubled sheet, which had served an hundred different travellers, at least, since the last washing. 1876 22 Apr. 271/1 One book served four singers. 1975 L. Mandell iii. 26 Large, expensive, durable items (such as the automobile or household appliances) which serve the entire family. 2015 14 297/2 Rather than each potential consumer owning an item, sharing enables a single item to serve multiple consumers. ?c1450 (1891) l. 4114 Bot or he partyd þat pelfe he proued first in him selfe Whatkyn vertu it was of; To him full wele it serof. a1475 (Lansd.) (1999) II. l. 8205 He dide make Alle þinges..serue to man for euermore. c1480 (a1400) St. John Evangelist 196 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) I. 114 Al creatur to be commone settis þare cur, as sone, mone, sternis al smal, presis þam to serwe til all. †24. the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > impel or prompt c1380 (1879) l. 255 Ys herte was god & sykerly serued him to do þat dede. 1467 in S. Tymms (1850) 33 I grawunte my executours ful pover to do to hire as ther discrecyon wyl serve hem to doo. a1475 J. Fortescue (Laud) (1885) 142 But þer hartes serue hem not to take a manys gode, while he is present, and woll defende it. 1521 Bp. Longland in H. Ellis (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 252 I mynystred as my weykenes wold serve, in pontificalibus. 1533 J. Heywood sig. D Yf your appetyte serue you so to do. 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus i. ii. sig. Fj Go safely thyther as thy harte or courage serueth the. 1576 in J. Morris (1877) (modernized text) 3rd Ser. 249 He cometh not to the church because his conscience will not serve him so to do. 1597 T. Morley 100 Do so if your mind serue you. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 1 Certainely, my conscience will serue me to runne from this Iewe my Maister. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 38 The Mathematickes, and the Metaphysickes Fall to them as you finde your stomacke serues you. View more context for this quotation 1678 J. Humfrey 15 Can any Man's Heart serve him to believe, that such a Motion would have bin entertained? 1753 T. Allen vi. 7 Now albeit Psidias' conscience served him to deal unjustly. the mind > will > motivation > have motive [verb (intransitive)] > incite or instigate 1594 R. Abbot 43 Why did not your courage serue to make a direct answere to that that was opposed? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. vi. 164 And therefore take this compact of a Truce, Although you breake it, when your pleasure serues . View more context for this quotation 1673 F. Kirkman 137 I concluded to go thither again, and it may be as my mind served to go a little further. 25. To perform or fulfil a specified function; to take the place of some specified means or agency. the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [verb (transitive)] > serve for or as a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 171 And anon his mouþ bycom his ers, and servede aftirward in stede of his neþer ende. 1427–8 in H. Littlehales (1905) 68 For makyng of iiij polesis of bras & iron werk and lede þat serued for þe vayl. c1450 J. Capgrave (Arun. 396) (1893) i. l. 722 This mayde is corovned, wyth alle the observaunce [c1475 Rawl. observawns] whic[h]e serued at þat tyme in stede of the masse. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 383 in (1934) ii. 555 (MED) Of the Sheep is cast a-way no thyng..For harp strynges his roppis serue echon. 1566 W. Painter I. xliv. f. 204 A naturall abashment and shame, which with the vayle of honor doth serue, or ought to serue, for a bridle. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 47 One turfe shall serue, as pillow, for vs both. View more context for this quotation 1606 R. Knolles tr. J. Bodin i. v. 35 Let one example serue for many. 1642 T. Fuller ii. xvi. 111 Those may make excellent merchants and mechanicks which will not serve for Scholars. 1651 T. Hobbes iii. xxxiv. 212 The Cloud served as a sign of God's presence. 1717 tr. A. F. Frézier ii. 71 The Poncho..serves for a Blanket at Night. 1762 A. Dickson ii. xiv. 253 When the land is wet, the furrows serve for drains. 1820 P. B. Shelley i. 12 He'll serve instead of riot money. 1856 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 31 Aug. in (1997) II. v. 109 Mr. Hall being familiar with the localities, served admirably as a guide. 1861 M. Pattison in Apr. 413 The Great Hall, serving for a council-chamber on days of general convocation, and as a banqueting-room for the oft-recurring festivities. 1910 II. 28/1 A grasshopper or almost any large fly will serve for bait. 1952 C. Day Lewis tr. Virgil xi. 254 His head was helmeted in a wolf's mask Whose gaping mouth with its white-fanged jaws served for a visor. 2009 3 Sept. d3/2 The large table also served as our cutting board and sewing area. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > be useful to [verb (transitive)] > in the way specified 1533 T. More iii. ii. f. clxv So fareth maister Masker here, that maketh Christes holy wordes serue hym for his iugling boxes. 1595 S. Daniel iii. xix. sig. N4 So that a talke of tumult and a breath Would serue him as his passing-bell to death. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. i. 47 This precious stone set in the siluer sea, Which serues it in the office of a wall, Or as moate defensiue to a house. View more context for this quotation 1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan viii. 329 Vntill..Babylon they had throwne downe To serue the Crassi for their tombe. 1680 tr. J.-B. Tavernier i. ii. 6 Rivers covered with Boates, which serve them instead of Houses. 1738 J. Swift 112 My Stomach serves me instead of a Clock. 1778 J. Cook Apr. (1967) III. 320 A kind of cloak made of the double part of a well dressed hide,..serves them for defensive armour. 1819 Ld. Byron vi. 6 Some..paradise, or cavern, Which serves the happy couple for a tavern. 1845 J. Coulter viii. 95 There was plenty of long grass about... This served me well for a bed. 1879 R. L. Stevenson 126 A streamlet made a little spout over some stones to serve me for a water-tap. 1979 W. H. Canaway xi. 77 The trailer..served him as living quarters and producer's office. 2010 B. Lüscher in J. H. Taylor xii. 293 A specially designed wickerwork carriage which served him as a mobile darkroom. the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] > serve the purpose > instead of something else ?1566 J. Alday tr. P. Boaistuau sig. R.i Homer..shall serue an example for all, who although that from his infancie was blind, yet notwithstanding he hath described and shewed of things so profounde and wonderfull, [etc.]. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 15 It [sc. the Tuscan Servia] well may serue A nursserie to our Gentrie, who are sicke For breathing, and exploit. View more context for this quotation 1654 Z. Coke Ep. Ded. sig. a6 Nor could the Monuments of these Whirlegigs serve Muniments to their expiring glories. 1685 R. Scamler 67 May not that Royal Prophet come in for a sad example, may not his Confession, I was conceived in Sin, serve a monument to Posterity. the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > give opportunity for [verb (transitive)] > provide (one) with opportunity the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (transitive)] > lend (aid) to bring about a result > lend contributory aid to a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. i. 164 Þe membres þat serueþ þe vertu of kynde beþ iclepid naturalis [read naturalia], as membra nutritiua þat serueþ to fedinge and norischinge. tr. Palladius (Duke Humfrey) (1896) xi. l. 371 (MED) [It] serueth thyn entent. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2038 (MED) Of odours this doctryne is sufficient As in alchymye to serue youre entent. a1568 R. Ascham (1570) i. f. 28 They make Christ and his Gospell, onelie serue Ciuill pollicie. 1596 E. Spenser vi. x. sig. Hh6 He had no weapon, but his shepheards hooke, To serue the vengeaunce of his wrathfull will. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 89 Since it serues my purpose. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton iv. 398 As thir shape servd best his end. View more context for this quotation 1680 J. Moxon I. x. 178 Turners have commonly two or three pair of Puppets to fit one Lathe, and always strive to use the shortest they can to serve their Work. 1736 Bp. J. Butler ii. i. 146 Christianity served these Ends and Purposes, when it was first published. 1778 F. Burney III. xvi. 171 Neither do I know another human being who could serve any interest by such a deception. 1819 P. B. Shelley ii. ii. 33 It fortunately serves my close designs. 1884 20 Feb. 5/1 Diatribes so blind and furious can do no good to the cause they are meant to serve. 1893 J. A. Hodges (1907) 19 It would serve no useful purpose. 1895 99 545/2 We best serve our own interests in studying the interests of those for whom we act. 1962 29 Mar. 545/2 Scientific principles may be made to serve military ends. 2004 3 Dec. 32/4 The genuine altruist serves his own interests by helping another person. c1400 in D. Thomson (1984) 192 (MED) ‘In’ preposicion serues til accusatif case when he betakyns steryng fra a place til a nothyr, fra a gre til a nothir, fra a state til a nothyr. c1450 in D. Thomson (1984) 38 (MED) Wheche be the wordes of Englys that serue to the coniunctyf mode? ‘Yif’, ‘thouȝ’, ‘bote’, ‘for te’, ‘that’, ‘whenne’. 1495 (de Worde) sig. Bivv How many preposicions standen euer more in composicion & neuer in apposicion, & serueth noo case. 1572 J. Higgins (rev. ed.) sig. A/1 In the latine speche. A. is a preposition (seruing to the ablatiue case) of diuers significations. c1675 R. Richardson 5 Shewing himself as bad Garmmarian [sic.] as Moral or Divine: For besides the [quasi. as] of similitude.., he forges another [quasi, as if] of simulation to serve to [fuerat] the indicative. 1720 J. Henley No. 5. ii. 13 By, in, than, and Prepositions serving the Ablative. 1814 J. Marshman 489 The first of these [sc. subjunctive conjunctions] are such as serve to the Subjunctive Mood. 1854 J. Arnold 3 The ablative case is known by prepositions, expressed or understood, serving to the ablative case, as de magistro, of the master; [etc.]. 28. the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (transitive)] > last (one) for a specific time the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient for [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 28 What though thyn hors be bothe foul and lene If he wol serue thee, rekke nat a bene. 1450 in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Var. Coll. (1907) IV. 85 in (Cd. 3218) LXIV. 1 There vitailes ben not suffisant to serue them for iij wekes at the farrest. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 143 Few wordis may serve the wyis. 1562 W. Turner f. 52v A romishe acre of it [sc. medick fodder]..will serue iii. horses for an hole yere. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. viii. 70 It [sc. a shilling] will serue you to mend your shoes. 1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius 303 They provide Ice enough to serve them all Summer. 1711 J. Addison No. 119. ¶3 A polite Country Squire shall make you as many Bows in half an Hour, as would serve a Courtier for a Week. 1734 A. Pope ii. ii. 53 One half-pint bottle serves them both to dine. 1821 W. Scott I. iii. 48 Private apartments..bedizened fine enough to serve the Queen. 1868 4 276 Almost any building will serve them [sc. nesting birds] where they can obtain a horizontal beam or ledge. 1989 Oct. 105/2 They've ditched their 80s Eurobeat image and returned to the Zeppelin power chords and Beatles harmonies that served them so well throughout the 70s. 2015 14 Nov. 7 Why change the grip on your backhand when it's served you adequately for so many years? the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient for [verb (transitive)] > specifically a thing the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)] > be adequate for the case or conditions 1445 A. Paston in (2004) I. 27 How manie gystis wolle serve the parlour and the chapelle at Paston. 1566 W. Painter I. xliii. f. 145 Not suffryng so muche strawe, as would serue the couche of twoo Dogges, to be lefte vnconsumed. 1660 R. Sharrock 96 About twelve or fourteen quarter of lime serves an acre. 1705 tr. W. Bosman xxii. 476 What hath been said of the Habits, Cattle and Fruit of the former, may also serve them. 1859 G. Offor in J. Bunyan III. 636/2 A halfpenny worth of tar will serve a sheep, but not a ship. 1971 8 39 The above mixture can serve one hectare of sugarcane plantation. the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be content or satisfied with [verb (transitive)] > content or satisfy > in negative contexts 1548 N. Udall in N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Pref. f. viv Nothing maie serue your grace but singularitie. 1634 T. Herbert 140 No other water would serue their pallat. 1684 J. Bunyan 13 Nothing will serve me but going on Pilgrimage. View more context for this quotation 1715 S. Centlivre i. ii. 44 Can't you contrive some small Place for me too—Any thing will serve me—I'll be satisfy'd with being Lord-Mayor. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage I. iii. i. 315 He took such a fancy to me, that nothing would serve him but I must be his guest at Segovia. 1821 W. Scott II. xiii. 335 With those whom such reasons did not serve, they dealt more rudely. 1861 T. Hughes I. vi. 102 Nothing would serve him but that we should turn off for Hungerford at once. 1936 3 May 28/4 Nothing would serve us but a week-end high up. 1562 T. Cooper Answere Def. Truth f. 52v, in To apointe a geometricall measure of place..that may serue for all churches..is far aboue our reache. 1632 J. Cruso xxx. 43 Their manner of using their severall pieces is one and the same; and so one instruction may serve for both. 1678 R. Hooke 16 These Explanations will serve mutatis mutandis for explaining the Spring of any other Body whatsoever. 1757 J. Hill 332/1 A short Description will serve for this conspicuous Flower. 1893 W. H. A. Jacobson v. 275 The above directions will also serve for those rarer cases of inflammation of the testis and its immediate surroundings. 1937 (N.Y. Agric. Exper. Station) I. iv. ii. 10/2 The following is the only well-known species and its description will also serve for the genus. 2018 TCCL Seed Libr. in tulsalibrary.org (accessed 2 Sept. 2020) Start tomato seeds 8–5 weeks before average last frost... These instructions will also serve for peppers and other warm weather, long season plants. 29. Of the wind, weather, tide, etc.: to favour; to be favourable, beneficial, or helpful to a person or thing; to help or enable one to do something; esp. (of the wind or tide) to move in a direction favourable to a boat's course. Now somewhat rare (chiefly historical in later use). the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (a blast) (of the wind [verb (transitive)] > be favourable to tr. Palladius (Duke Humfrey) (1896) i. l. 930 The fired nuttis smolder throgh shal fle This grettist hole, as wol the wynde hem serue, And outher shal this talpis voide or sterue. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. f. xviiiv/2 They..had wynd and tyde to serue them. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iii. iv. 131 They come from the East, where the Easterly or Northerne windes do serve them. 1689 R. Cox 308 The next day going to the Water-side, Wind and Weather serving him, he sails towards Ireland. 1781 J. Calef 13 The wind and tide serving them to enter the harbour. 1826 Dec. 373/1 The wind served us early this morning, but was light. 1866 20 Jan. 46/2 The boats..keep moving on by night as well as by day, as long as the tides serve them. 1913 1 Sept. 6/6 Several hours must elapse before the flood tide served them. 1975 W. R. Stanton xiv. 246 Served by the wind only in puffs, they finally sighted the high land of Oahu on June 13, when as if in mockery, a steady breeze blew up and carried them..into the harbour. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (of the wind) [verb (intransitive)] > be favourable 1443 in H. Nicolas (1835) V. 239 Yif winde & weder wol serve. 1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent (1893) i. 5 Thare we came to an anker, for the wynde sarved not to pass by Dover. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 275 On such a full Sea are we now a-float, And we must take the current when it serues, Or loose our Ventures. View more context for this quotation 1682 No. 1740/4 The Tide serving early. 1760 C. Johnstone II. i. xi. 96 The wind and tide served for us. 1793 J. Smeaton (ed. 2) §225 The weather serving at intervals,..the first course..was finished. 1815 W. Scott I. xxi. 339 I propose to make a farther excursion through this country while this fine frosty weather serves. 1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in 1st Ser. II. i. 2 Leaving to the atmosphere to bring forth the young, or otherwise, as the climate shall serve. 1894 J. D. Astley II. 247 As the tide did not serve, the anchor was let go. 1934 1 Sept. 9/3 If the tides serve marsh gunners should find something to shoot at. 1991 P. O'Brian (1994) 52 The vessel will come round as soon as the wind serves. 30. Of time, occasion, or circumstance: to be opportune, convenient, or favourable. Of one's time or leisure: to afford one occasion or opportunity for something, to be at one's disposal. Also with infinitive of purpose. the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)] > be advantageous or favourable the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > be expedient or advisable [verb (intransitive)] > be suitable, opportune, or convenient > specifically of time or occasion the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > have the opportunity [verb (intransitive)] a1450 ( in J. Kail (1904) 39 And ȝe in batayle haue maystrie, And fortune serue, and god ȝow spede. 1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus iii. iii. sig. Pij While the tyme dyd beare .i. whyle the tyme serued. 1562 N. Winȝet (1888) I. 8 Tyme seruis not to schaw. 1578 J. Lyly f. 86 And as occasion shall serue I wyll requyte thee. 1585 A. Munday tr. L. Pasqualigo sig. D3 My leasure serues, and I will stand. 1599 sig. C3v In spite of thee they now shall feede their fill, And eate vntill our leasures serue to goe. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 29 The day serues well for them now. View more context for this quotation 1681 J. Dryden iv. ii. 62 Read that: 'Tis with the Royal Signet sign'd, And given me by the King when time shou'd serve To be perus'd by you. 1766 R. Hurd 4 There needs but to evolve the philosopher's idea, and to apply it, as occasion serves. 1821 W. Scott II. xi. 274 The large boughs which had been left on the ground till time served to make them into faggots and billets. 1879 G. A. Sala in 21 July At eating and drinking London I shall arrive, should occasion serve by-and-bye. 1879 H. Spencer 36 The sportsman, narrating his feats when opportunity serves. 1925 Apr. 48/2 As time goes on and leisure serves, another oiling or another waxing and rubbing may follow. 1980 P. O'Brian viii. 231 Studdingsails aloft and alow on either side as occasion served. 2000 16 Dec. 112/1 Both contestants have unhesitatingly elected for combinative, even hazardous, play when opportunity served. 2011 S. W. May in S. Doran & N. Jones (2014) xxxii. 550 Elizabethans readily composed verses (if not poetry) as occasion served. the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > provide occasion or opportunity [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > be advantageous or favourable to the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [verb (transitive)] > be suitable, convenient, or opportune for 1532 T. More iii. p. cccxxvi And now shall I (god wyllyng) in my fourth boke as sone as my tyme shall serue my, so confute his false fayth. 1570 T. Wilson tr. Demosthenes iv. 38 There is no let in your way to passe into his country, when occasion shal serue you. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 402 I am sorry that your leysure serues you not. View more context for this quotation 1641 Bp. J. Hall 86 As to this challenge it selfe, might the Readers leisure serve him to cast back his eye upon this passage of my Defence. ?1749 W. Duff 315 Designing men, when opportunity serves them, make Religion the cover for all their ambitious and indirect practices. 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vi, in 3rd Ser. III. 85 Tell Colonel Ashton..I shall be found at Wolf's Crag when his leisure serves him. 1875 M. P. W. Boulton tr. Homer i. 6 Still in his heart he nurses the grudge, till watched-for occasion Serve him to wreak it. 1890 G. Allen xxv. 217 The Shadows..had in every case agreed to assist them with the canoe, if occasion served them. 1924 18 Dec. 2/2 The author has noted, so far as time and opportunity served him. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [verb (intransitive)] society > trade and finance > money > circulation of money > be in circulation [verb (intransitive)] the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious [verb (intransitive)] > be valid or count for something c1475 Gregory's Chron. in J. Gairdner (1876) 230 But þe prevelege wolde not serve that tyme for noo cause of eresy. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Hvv The coyn of one countre wyll nat serue, ne be admytted or receyued in an other countre. 1569 R. Grafton II. 774 Serueth this libertie for my person onely, or for my goods to? 1665 S. Clarke 6 An absolute power to Coyn Monies (which serve not in any other Teritories, but in their own). 1726 J. Ayliffe 123 A Bishop may prove himself to be a Bishop several ways... First, By the Bulls or Letters of his Election: but then this only serves in the Romish Countries. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [verb (transitive)] > suit or fit 1525 R. Whitford tr. Hugh of St. Victor Expos. v, in tr. St. Augustine f. liiijv A lytell garment wyll not serue a large body. 1540 W. Gray vii Although a shypmans hose, wyll serue all sortes of legges. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 159 I was trim'd in Madam Iulias gowne, Which serued me as fit, by all mens iudgements, As if the garment had bin made for me. View more context for this quotation 1678 J. Humfrey 11 Neither will my Shooes serve his feet, or my Gloves come on his hands. 1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage I. ii. iii. 114 With a doublet and breeches that would have served a man four times as big as I. 1790 W. Scott 6 Aug. (1932) I. 12 This character..would serve most of them. 1808 J. Jamieson To Sair,..to fit, to be large enough. The coat does na sair him, i.e. it is too little. 1879 ‘S. Tytler’ Bride's Pass v, in 198 I've no quarrel with his appearance; unless that I think it would better serve a pinging lassie than a bold lad. 33. Of memory: to provide a person with ready and accurate recollection of information, past experiences, etc. Frequently in if (my) memory serves (me). the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > remain in the mind [verb (intransitive)] > of memory: assist 1559 W. Baldwin in W. Baldwin et al. To Rdr. sig. A.ii I wyll so far as my memorie and iudgement serueth, sumwhat further you in the truth of the story. 1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc 31 I will content my self to discover a view of the country, as faithfully, and exactly as my memory will serve. 1781 T. Dawes 17 ‘That the yeomanry are the bulwark of a free people’—was, if memory serves, in a celebrated extempore speech of the honorable Samuel Adams. 1857 27 Feb. As far as my memory serves, I will give it to you in his own words. 1905 E. Meeker Introd. 4 My only regret was that the work had not been undertaken earlier in life when memory served more accurately. 1920 J. H. Turner xviii. 216 Miss Figgis, who, if your memory serves, was the lady who giggled so loudly.., called upon the Reverend John. 2020 @Brookranger 7 May in twitter.com (accessed 7 Sept. 2020) You had a half decent team then if memory serves..... the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)] > of memory: assist 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione i. sig. A*.ii I will endeuoure my selfe, for so muche as my memorye wyll serue me, to call them perticularly to remembraunce. 1634 in (1854) 398 The subprincipall..testifiet that since the twalt day of Marche last, as his memorie serwes him, the said principall did [etc.]. 1788 A. Hamilton xxii. 140 The earl of Chesterfield (if my memory serves me right)..intimates that his success in an important negotiation, must depend on [etc.]. 1861 S. Brooks (1865) viii. 44 Or perhaps your memory don't serve you as well as it did. 1958 4 Nov. 6/3 The only components manufactured here are, if my memory is serving me right, upholstery, glass, tyres. 2014 S. Messenger xxviii. 236 If memory serves me, the two of you have had a somewhat tumultuous relationship recently. III. To supply or provide with something, and related senses. 34. a. To supply or provide (someone) with something needed or desired; to provide a regular or continuous supply of something, esp. goods or services, to (a population, district, business, etc.). the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 100 Þe serueð us of muche seruise. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 22508 Þe sun þat es sa bright, And seruis al þis werld o light. c1450 (1905) II. 334 He..serryffed seke folk of swilk as þaim nedud. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 320 Serwyt thai war with gud speris enew. 1589 R. Hakluyt tr. C. Adams in ii. 289 Colmagro, serues all the Countrey about it with salt, and salt fishe. 1594 T. Nashe sig. N3 She appointed..her to..serue me of such necessaries as I lacked. 1615 G. Sandys (1658) iv. 202 Naples is..served with water by fountains and conduits. 1643 W. Prynne i. 95 Deposed King Richard should continue in a large prison, and be plenteously served of all things necessary both for viande and apparell. a1731 G. Waldron Descr. Isle of Man 131 in (1731) A Woman who..used to serve my Family with Butter. 1785 W. Cowper iv. 758 These [plants] serve him with a hint That nature lives. 1827 24 Nov. The consumers might establish a gas works for themselves, and be served with gas at prime cost. 1918 19 Dec. They serve the town with fresh meat Fridays and Saturdays. 2017 (Nexis) 21 July By 2022..we hope that the last household will be served with electricity. 1453 in F. B. Bickley (1900) II. 204 (MED) To be delid at the said masse in mony to the pore peple 1 s..and in especiall to tho that hauen most nede that thei be first serued. 1511 (Pynson) f. xvv Which Condyttes serue all the Cytie in euery place. 1531 in C. Innes (1842) 363 Giff þe said abbot..desyris ony pan wod of my lord of sanct andr' coill thay sall be seruit befor ony vþeris. 1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza 178 Fruits and greene herbs in such quantitie that it was sufficient to serue such a Citie. 1617 F. Moryson i. 4 A Conduit of water, which serves all the Towne. 1712 J. Arbuthnot ii. 7 Besides, the Rascal has good Ware, and will serve him as cheap as any Body in that Case. 1796 J. Sinclair XVII. 644 The corn-mills served by this canal were originally the property of that family. 1868 X. 104/1 The distributing reservoir..must therefore be higher than the highest house to be served. 1974 B. Emecheta ii. 18 The pump at Pike Street..served eight other streets as well. 2013 (Nexis) 28 Jan. The irrigation ditch that serves one-third of the wineries in the valley. society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > travel on (public vehicle) [verb (transitive)] > supply with public transport 1844 29 Nov. 3/3 The counties which this line of railway will serve..contain a population of 1,506,876 persons. 1892 W. J. Turrell & H. Graves 38 The country described in this book is served almost entirely by the Great Western Railway. 1936 14 627 The railway that serves the colonized area of Kenya represents a still unrefunded cost to the home government of over $20,000,000. 1989 Feb. 46/3 The expansion will increase American's operations in Europe to a total of 119 flights a week, serving 13 destinations. 2020 @mrdavidwhitley 6 Sept. in twitter.com (accessed 10 Sept. 2020) Pick a village that is served by bus/train and has nice walky areas on the doorstep, and go from there. society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (transitive)] > assist (worker) 1423 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 154 (MED) Item, for vj dayes to an oþer laborer, to serue þe seid Masons, þe day v d. c1475 tr. A. Chartier (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 229 (MED) Lucius Tucius was commaunded..to serue with stonys the werkemen. 1547 in 25 562 To Dingle for iiij dayes thackinge xvj d... To Dingles sonne for servinge him iiij dayes viij d. 1601 in J. Harland (1856) I. 137 A laborer, for iij days sarving the wallers, le day ijd ob., vijd ob. 1676 9–16 May 1/2 A Magistrate..received a Letter..as he was thatching a Hogsty, which being with much difficulty read by the Clark of the Parish that was serving him with Straw [etc.]. 1726 A. Parkinson 23 Who..served the Masons, with Stones and Mortar. 1889 6 Nov. 354 They can cut bamboos for roofing, and make floors and serve the masons who build. 1976 P. I. Thomas (ed. 3) 407 Proper consideration should be given in each instance to the probable number of hours a laborer will be needed to serve the plasterer. 2014 (Nexis) 3 June The deceased was among those serving the mason men in plastering the walls of the building before the incident. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] society > authority > subjection > slavery or bondage > be slave of [verb (transitive)] > enslave > make use of as slaves 1538 M. Coverdale tr. M. Luther sig. G.viii The hyghmynded, which serue [L. inseruiunt] themselues wt these gyftes, feare not God. 1560 Jer. xxv. 14 Many nacions and great Kings shal euen serue them selues of them [so 1611 and 1884]. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy xxxvii. 960 Intending..to serve himselfe of the provision prepared for the enemie. 1648 tr. J.-F. Senault 6 God..serves himself sometimes with criminals to execute his designes. 1750 Bp. W. Warburton (1809) 58 You may serve yourself of the following hints. 1850 R. C. Trench (ed. 3) vi. 185 In the intercourse of ordinary life our Lord served himself, as was natural, of the popular Aramaic. 1905 W. D. Howells v. 50 In New York you may take a hansom; in London you must. You serve yourself of it as at home you serve yourself of the electric car. 1976 Mar. 67 An author..who..has served himself of the collective knowledge to form an art of his own creation. the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow) the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > do one a good turn the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > harm, injury, or wrong > harm, injure, or commit offence against [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [verb (transitive)] > do one a bad turn 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione ii. sig. P.iiii Beeginne all to serue him sluttish pranckes, and make him a Cousin. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 34 I remember the tricke you seru'd me, when I tooke my leaue of Madam Siluia. View more context for this quotation 1697 T. D'Urfey iii. i. 15 Why what a plaguey trick did she serve that poor Hutsman. 1794 A. Radcliffe III. ii. 39 It would have been serving you a good turn, ma'amselle, as well as myself. 1827 J. Wight 196 I would be a big fool, yer worship..to take me enemy's thumb into me own mouth for him to serve me that trick! 1887 W. E. Norris III. 249 You never in your life served me a worse turn than when you prevented me from hitting that man. 1961 1 Dec. 872/3 Silette serves every bad turn she can think of on the boys. 2012 C. Brooke v. 56 She is too good, too honorable to serve you a trick like that. †38. the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide, afford, or yield the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land raising crops > [verb (transitive)] > produce a1577 G. Gascoigne Princelie Pleasures Kenelworth sig. C.vijv, in (1587) What fruits this soyle may serue. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 14 Ant. Fiue hundred Duckets villaine for a rope? E. Dro. Ile serue you sir fiue hundred at the rate. View more context for this quotation 1677 A. Yarranton 102 Our People too, with this Money, make Cloth, and serve it cheap in all places where we send our Cloth. 1695 J. Evelyn (1955) V. 221 The Pump he has erected that serves water to his Garden & to passengers. 1793 E. D. Clarke v. 291 The leaden pipes for serving water..are still in a state of preservation. 1844 26 Oct. (advt.) This Lot contains a Brick and Tiled Hovel, communicating with both Closes, and a Pump Well and Trough to serve water to both. 1894 R. O. Heslop 616 Gas is said to serve when it issues more or less regularly from a fault, slip, etc., in a coal mine. IV. To bring food or drink to (someone) at the table, and related senses. 39. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > serve person c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall (1920) I. 217 Architriclin, þat was se þet ferst was i serued. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1978) l. 11365 Þe hehȝe ibore men þane mete beare..ech man þare sareuede his freonde. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 403 (MED) Þe selerer goþ stilliche out and serveþ þe gestes. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) l. 540 To þe mete þay weren ysett, Ne miȝtten men ben serued bett, Noiþer in mete ne in drynk. a1500 (Cambr.) (1933) l. 835 (MED) They are all ysett And serued feyre at þe mete. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lxvi. 226 They..sat down to supper, where as they were rychely seruyd. 1600 R. Hakluyt tr. G. B. Ramusio in (new ed.) III. 370 All the vessels wherein they are serued,..were of golde. 1687 R. Wolley tr. N. Besongne (new ed.) i. xv. 87 None but the Gentlemen-Waiters should serve him at Table. 1738 J. Swift 22 Let your Betters be serv'd before you. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. v. 41 Our two little ones..were regularly served after we had done. 1823 W. Scott III. iii. 81 When I was only a refugee..I was served upon gold-plate by order of the same Charles. 1913 29 141/2 The same new waiter served him at dinner that evening. 2012 M. B. Bohn xv. 248 At supper we were served by the English-speaking household staff. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1541 (MED) He seruede his fader wel Wið wines drinc and seles mel. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1421 Derly at þat day wiþ deynteyes were þei serued. c1440 (a1400) (Thornton) l. 456 In siluer sa semly þai serue þame of the beste. a1500 (?a1450) (Harl. 7333) (1879) 149 When the Emperour was sette to mete, he was servid of that sweyne. 1549 T. Cooper iii. f. 145 He was at supper serued with a fisches head. 1607 T. Walkington v. sig. F3v That centre of al dainties, who at one supper was serued with 600. ostriches. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu 18 Apr. (1965) I. 348 I was very sorry I could not eat of as many [ragouts] as the good Lady would have had me, who was very earnest in serving me of every thing. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in 229 Serve him with ven'son and he chuses fish. 1864 Mrs. H. Wood xxix How many are there to serve with pie still? 1911 ‘K. Mansfield’ 22 At the end of the meal we were served with coffee. 2005 C. Thomas & J. Posner 231 Diane does her part by serving us with great cheese, veggies, and jumbo shrimp. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) l. 1155 He dude seruen Olympias Jn golde, in siluer, in brus, in glas. 1577 R. Willes & R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria f. 436v The kyng washeth before meate and after, he is serued in earthen dyshes. 1606 Bp. J. Hall xxvi. 198 He is serued in siluer, thou in vessell of the same colour, of lesser price. 1653 E. Chamberlayne tr. (new ed.) 55 Next day the King caused all his plate to be coined into money, by whose example also the Nobility and Commons sent theirs to the Mint, and all contented themselves to be served in earthen ware. 1665 S. Clarke 8 The Prince is served in Silver with four courses, besides fruit. 1794 W. Moore (ed. 2) I. xxi. 193 The sick, to the number of 150, are served on silver. 1848 W. M. Thackeray lxiii. 570 There is a servant in scarlet and lace to attend upon every four, and every one is served on silver. 1995 29 Apr. (Weekend section) p. v/1 The sick were served on silver for purposes of cleanliness. 1866 Apr. 300/2 It [sc. a Yorkshire pudding] will serve four or five persons very well. 1880 M. Parloa 114 [In a recipe for escaloped fish.] If for the only solid dish for dinner, this will answer for six persons; but if it is in a course for a dinner party, it will serve twelve. 1908 4 May 3/6 This recipe serves six persons. 2016 N. Smart 137 Nut Wellington. Serves 4. For Christmas I wanted to make a plant-based alternative to beef Wellington and the result was outstanding! 40. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)] the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall (1920) I. 217 Hye spac to þo Serganz þet seruede of þo wyne. c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) l. 234 Tech him..Biuore me to kerue & of þe cupe serue. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 3950 Kay king of aungeo a þousend kniȝtes nom..Of o sywte & seruede at þis feste anon. c1440 (?a1400) l. 892 Sir Cayous, þat of þe cowpe serfede. a1500 (?a1425) (Harl.) (1889) l. 57 He taught hym..to serve in halle Bothe to grete and to smalle. 1526 Luke xxii. f. cxiij For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meate: or he that serveth? 1687 M. T. tr. M. de Luna iv. 26 He order'd that when he should eat with his Queen, none but the Ladies of the Palace should serve at Table. 1753 R. Poole 84/2 Waiters that serve at Table should be careful, during that Time, not to scratch their Head. 1854 15 July 46/1 An old man..served at the bar, and a young boy waited on the customers in the parlour. 1931 10 Apr. 10/6 (advt.) Young girls to serve and look after business in Restaurant. 2017 (Nexis) 24 Mar. 1 J&M Diner featured waiters serving in their pajamas. 1697 J. Vanbrugh ii. 24 Serv. Will your Ladyship please to dine yet? Lady F. Yes: let 'em serve. 1710 D. Manley I. ii. 267 I see my People coming to tell us they have serv'd, Allons..refresh your self at Dinner. 1850 38 I place some of them at the top of the table, before my mistress, or the lady who serves. 1966 ‘E. Queen’ iv. 36 ‘I'll serve,’ said Fanny. ‘I can be useful as well as ornamental.’ She went into the kitchen, relieving Jay of the serving spoon as she passed. 1969 D. Clark ii. 28 Mrs Binkhurst likes to serve at half past seven. Then she's free to help in the bars later. 2013 (Nexis) 3 May Just before serving, add the leaves to the dressing. 41. a. To bring (food, a dish, etc.) to a person or group at the table; to present (food or drink) to someone as part of a meal. Recorded earliest in to serve forth 1a at Phrasal verbs.the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] 1381 Diuersa Servicia in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler (1985) 75 For to make rys moyle. Nym rys & bray hem ryȝt wel in a mortere, & cast þereto god almaunde mylk & sugur & salt; & boyle it & serue yt forth. c1400 (?c1380) (1920) l. 997 Ho [sc. Lot's wife] served at þe soper salt bifore Dryȝtyn. a1500 (a1400) (Adv.) (1930) l. 391 The cheryse were servyd thorowe þe hall. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. xxv A piece whereof is serued to the Emperours table. 1597 T. Beard ii. viii. 250 A fishes head of great bignesse being serued into the table. 1652 F. Kirkman tr. vi. xii. 63 As the last course was serving, a great whirlewinde beat against the windowes. 1664 109 Beat some butter thick, put it into the dish and serve it. 1726 J. Swift II. iii. ii. 26 They cut up the Joynts that were served to his Majesties Table. 1765 II. xv. 193 Had he not frequently seen her pass and repass before the Window whilst Dinner was serving. 1848 W. M. Thackeray liii. 474 The Colonel's breakfast was served to him in the same dingy..plated ware. 1877 A. B. Edwards xviii. 487 After luncheon..coffee was served. 1955 ‘P. Wentworth’ (1997) xx. 148 He said, ‘Dinner is served.’ 1988 L. Colwin x. 72 The cook..was serving lunch to 120 ladies. 2000 C. Voigt ii. 25 Do you think I should serve lasagne for the dinner? If not, I could do chili. a1576 R. Eden tr. L. de Varthema Nauigation & Voy. iv. ii, in R. Willes & R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria (1577) f. 382v They were speechelesse, hauing two or three appointed by signes to serue them meate and drynke. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu 18 Apr. (1965) I. 352 After this they serv'd me coffée upon their knees in the finest Japan china. 1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins 88 This afternoon the People insisted to be serv'd Brandy out of the Casks that were buried Under-ground; accordingly they were serv'd half a Pint each Man. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 17 So that you do not serve me sparrow-hawks For supper. 1932 Apr. 24/2 Finally we had her talked into serving us a steak. 2009 (Nexis) 22 May 8 We were served the biggest salads I have ever seen. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > in specific manner a1450 in T. Austin (1888) 6 As men seruyth furmenty wyth venyson. c1450 in T. Austin (1888) 83 And so serue hit hote. 1587 T. Dawson (new ed.) f. 9v Season it with salt, serue it on soppes, and garnish it with fruite. 1615 G. Markham i. ii. 67 Dish it vp, and serue it with Sugar strowed vpon it. 1660 R. May xviii. 355 Serve it in some of its own pickle, the spices on it, and slic't lemon. 1747 H. Glasse ii. 50 Bake them [sc. Larks] in a gentle Oven, serve them without Sauce. 1864 145 Boil these gently together and serve on toast. 1884 W. D. Howells in Dec. 111/2 Everything is served à la Russe. 1935 22 Nov. 12/4 A roast au jus is served in its own unthickened juices. 1959 284 Champagne and sparkling wines should be served slightly chilled. 2013 E. Huang xii. 186 In Taiwan, they take the tofu, fry it, and serve it with garlic oil. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > hand out in portions 1682 G. Rose 24 They ought to serve the Sweetmeats with a Fork, but the Dragee, or small Seeds of Sugar with a Spoon. 1852 43 Have the warm plates placed in piles before the person who carves, or serves the soup. 1902 30 July 213/3 I served the pie to the boys, eleven, at my table. 2013 J. Christmas v. 184 The head sister at each table would serve the pudding. the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)] c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 23 Hir bord was serued moost wt whit and blak. a1500 (a1477) Black Bk. (Soc. of Antiquaries) in A. R. Myers (1959) 127 Squyers of housold..to help serue his table from the surueying bourde, and from other places as the assewer woll assigne. 1557 F. Seager iii. (heading) Howe to behaue thi selfe in seruynge the table. 1626 G. Sandys tr. Ovid vi. 120 The boards are princely seru'd [L. regales epulae mensis]. 1689 B. Smithurst xxv. 108 His Tipstaves made room in the Hall, that the Attenders might with more ease serve the Tables. 1769 J. Hall-Stevenson IV. 44 He cold not possibly serve the table with flesh to-day. 1802 E. Forster tr. I. 311 As soon as the guests were all arrived, the table was served, and they sat down to eat. 1969 3 Apr. 799/1 Her own table was served with seven courses. 2002 N. Kincaid i. 45 Bena watched Lucky serve the plates with chicken, tossed salad, and squares of white cornbread. 43. the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feeding animals > [verb (transitive)] a1475 Bk. Hawking (Harl. 2340) in (1944) 16 11 Thu moste hacke and leue his [sc. a hawk's] mete opon a borde in his neste... Now thu knowyst how he shalle be seruyd but what mete he shall be fed with I shall tell the. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lii. 177 I can..serue the houndes of theyr ryghtes. ?1567 sig. Bviv Well, sayd Skelton, for this once, serue my Mare wyth horse bread. 1625 F. Bacon §278. 304 This Lady..called to one of her Maids, that lookt to the Swine, and askt; Is the piggy serued? 1685 G. Meriton York-shire Dialogue in 39 Thou may sarra Gawts and Gilts with Draffe. 1781 P. Beckford xvi. 199 No, master, I have not seen him [sc. a fox]; but I smelt him here this morning, when I came to serve my sheep. 1809 12 Apr. 260/2 Tavener..gave the nose bag to Tyler; he is the man that serves the horses with water at the Three Brewer's public house. 1847 E. Bottomley & M. Bottomley Let. 4 Mar. in (1918) 145 I have had a boy to chop fire wood and serve cattle &c this last few weeks. 1958 Nos. 5–22. 17/2 Ah deean't sarra Pigs wi' curran' ceeake. 1967 in (1982) 461/2 I got up and served the sheep. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxxix. 10 in (1998) II. 113 The liuelesse carcases of those, That liu'd thy seruants, serue the Crowes. 1669 J. Worlidge iii. 29 They..sowe it with Spurrey-seed, that it may grow up and serve their Kine (after all late Grasses be eaten up) till New-years-day. 1709 J. Stevens tr. P. de Cieza lxxxvi. 222 There are..Fields abounding Grass, which serves the wild Cattle, whereof there is Plenty every where. 1819 A. Rees XVIII. at Husbandry The cabbages will serve the cattle in winter, and be soon enough off the ground to sow it with tares in the spring. 1845 C. J. Napier Jrnl. 23 Jan. in W. Napier III. 226 Plenty of wild bush which camels like much, and there are tufts of clover grass which serves the horses. 1648 J. Cooke 64 He that buyeth all his meat at the Cookes, serves many Beggars at the Dore. a1728 J. Stevenson (1729) 38 Three of the Men were as common Beggars served by my Wife afterwards at her Door. 1765 J. Brown 205 How extremely impudent is this beggar! I served him as I went in; and yet now he bawls for more. 1822 J. Galt xiii. 106 Two bonny bairns..going from house to house, like the hungry babes in the wood..; as I was seeing them served myself at our door, I spoke to them. 1892 30 July 6/6 We never serve beggars at the front door. 1768 A. Ross i. 25 I'm sure ye are na sairt, There's fouth o' meat, eat on. 1778 A. Ross (ed. 2) 52 It seems ye are na sair'd wi' what ye got. 1806 A. Douglas 148 Whan sair'd o' beef, they get a roast O' dainty rare sweet mutton. 1886 A. D. Willock (1887) xii. 93 Dauvit tried nae mair experiments in galvanism. Ae dose o'it saired him. 1927 E. S. Rae 51 He's suppert an' slockit, an' sairt for a day. 1978 F. Garry in C. Graham (ed. 2) 57 Sair't o the hull of Bennygoak An scunnert o the ferm, Gin I bit daar't, gin I bit daar't, I'd flit the comin term. V. To treat in a specified or understood manner. [A development of the use of to serve well, ill, etc., in the senses of branch I. Compare especially sense Phrases 3a.] the world > action or operation > behaviour > follow (a course of behaviour) [verb (transitive)] > behave towards the world > action or operation > manner of action > [verb (transitive)] > deal with or treat > in a specific manner c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1963) l. 4592 He lette smite him of þat heued..and þus he ȝam sareuede euerechone. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 624 Ȝif alle luþer holers were iserued so Me ssolde vinde þe les such spousbruche do. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. l. 312 (MED) Boþe þe lord and þe laborer ben leelliche yserued. a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve (Harl. 4866) (1897) l. 3853 Allas þat drynke so man serue schal! 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 451 And with suerdis that scharply schar Thai seruit thame full egyrly. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 454 Thai seruit thame in sa gret wayne With scherand swerdis and with knyvis. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Oiii The tree yt bryngeth forthe no good frute shalbe serued in lyke wyse. 1589 G. Puttenham i. xxviii. 46 Or else be locked into the Church by the Sexten as I my selfe was once serued reading an Epitaph in a certain cathedrall Church of England. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. vi. 248 She is seru'd, As I would serue a Rat. View more context for this quotation 1693 J. Dryden Ded. sig. B2v And no better than thus has Ovid been serv'd by the so much admir'd Sandys. 1727 J. Gay I. v. 16 All cowards should be serv'd like you. 1798 T. Jones (1951) 138 It was not the first time he had been served in the same manner by a parcel of Outlandish blackguards. 1847 F. Marryat I. xiii. 248 If I served you as you deserve, I should now put my bullet into you. 1860 J. Tyndall i. xvii. 119 On swerving a little..the mass turned over, and let me into the lake. I tried a second one, which served me in the same manner. 1870 (John Murray) 200 The nave piers have unfortunately been covered with a yellow wash, which..has been removed from some in the S. aisle with very good result. It is much to be wished that all the piers were so served. 1914 262 628 She had eaten some corn which had made her sick, and Mrs. Miller said it served her the same way. 47. Criminals' slang. the world > life > death > killing > man-killing or homicide > kill man [verb (transitive)] the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound seriously ?1794 [implied in: C. Dibdin (sheet music) 4 When in the Bilboas I was penn'd, For serving of a worthless friend, And every creature from me ran.]. 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in II. 204 To serve a man, also sometimes signifies to maim, wound, or do him some bodily hurt, and to serve him out and out is to kill him. 2000 J. J. Connolly 154 He was doin life anyway for serving some geezer over a bird. 1807 18 Feb. 133/1 Q... who did you meet... A... Owen Haggerty informed me that it was to sarve a gentleman. Q. What does that language mean. A. That is, rob a gentleman on Hounslow heath, who he knew had property about him. 1807 21 Feb. Our business it to ‘sarve’ a Gentleman on Hounslow Heath. 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in II. 204 Serve, to serve a person, or place, is to rob them; as I serv'd him for his thimble, I rob'd him of his watch; that crib has been served before, that shop has been already robbed, &c. VI. Technical senses. 48. Scots Law. society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > carry out specific type of writ 1431 in C. Innes (1837) 522 I sittand in jugement in the soilȝe off Halsyngton within the schirradome of Berwic..the qwilk brefe of inqueste..I gert procede and it seruyt and agayne retournit. 1471 in T. Thomson (1839) 14/2 That Breif of Inquest..seruit before Patric Cleland seref deput of Lanark, is vnlachfully & ordurly seruit. 1521 (1930) II. 136 That he couth nocht serf the said breif nor yit the said Johne as air to his eme to ane annuell rent of xl s. 1597 J. Skene at Breve de morte antecessoris But now the samin [sc. breve] is served before the schireffe, stewart, baillie, or onie vther judge hauand power and jurisdiction. society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > cause to descend by succession [verb (transitive)] > succeed to > recognize as legal successor 1494 in T. Thomson (1839) 205/1 Alexander mowat..has denyit þat euer he seruit henry dowglas as are to..Jonet of fentoun of þe ferde parte of þe landis. 1506 in M. Livingstone (1908) I. 174/2 The inqueist that servit hym of his breif of the said vi merkis worth of land. 1533 in J. B. Paul (1905) VI. 138 Ane inquest that servit Richert, umquhile lord Inuermeith, of..the landis of Inuermeith. 1582 in D. Masson (1880) 1st Ser. III. 558 He sall entir and obtene himself servit air as use is within the space of thrie termes. 1597 J. Skene at Breve de morte antecessoris Gif the persones of inquest..deliveris and servis Negative, in favoures of the defender. 1637 S. Rutherford (1664) 54 O that he would..serve himself Heir to the poor mean portion I have. 1693 J. Dalrymple (ed. 2) iii. iv. 449 Other Heirs..cannot be served Heirs, but by a special Service, serving them to such particulars, whereunto they succeed, by Infeftment or Provision. 1744 7 July 3 Mr. Hugh Murray..compleated his Titles thereto by serving himself Heir of Tailzie. 1815 W. Scott III. xi. 221 We must pass over his father, and serve him heir to his grand-father Lewis. 1854 H. Miller (1857) xvi. 356 After getting myself served heir to my father before the Court of the Canongate. 1893 R. L. Stevenson i. 1 To-day I was served heir to my position in life. 1952 108 David Murray, 2nd Lord Balvaird, served heir to his father, February, 1648. 2002 N. Macleod x. 209 Alexander was not served heir to the estate until 1617. 49. Law. 1442 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1442 §13. m. 11 If any processe of suche appell, enditement or presentement, taken in the said gret cession, be awardet or servet in othir wyse, that hit be voide and non in lawe. society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > serve with writ 1462 J. Pampyng in (2004) II. 248 So I told hym that men were infeffid in his lond, and that he shuld be servid the same wythinne fewe dayes. 1565 J. Jewel xvii. 574 Ye serued them solemnely with processe, and ascited them to appeare at your Consistories. 1886 13 Nov. 633/2 Fox had been duly served with a summons, but he failed to attend. 1915 30 Dec. 4/6 As he stepped from his taxi.., a bailiff served him with proceedings in a suit instituted by his former chauffeur. 1951 51 1035 The opportunity to serve the defendant is curtailed by his absence from the jurisdiction. 1989 N. Ravin xix. 290 He drew a large manila envelope from his..jacket and handed it to me. ‘There now,’ he said. ‘You've been served.’ 2019 (Nexis) 14 June 12 The 48-year-old man was served with a notice to appear in court for traffic offences. society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > serve with writ ?1538 A. Fitzherbert sig. D.viii If the olde shyreffe be discharged, the newe shyreffe shall serue the processe. 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. M3v The deepe vexation of his inward soule, Hath seru'd a dumbe arrest vpon his tongue. View more context for this quotation 1657 in B. Cusack (1998) 302 We doe present william ffasser for serving a suppena on the saboth day. 1708 J. Gordon 10 May (1949) 167 One of my neighbours whom he had caus'd serve a writ against for cutting wood. 1798 A. J. Dallas 2 335 An attachment..must be served by the marshall. 1847 T. De Quincey (1853) x. 22 Notice to quit was now served pretty liberally. 1931 25 724 It is made the consul's duty to serve the subpoena. 1985 R. C. A. White iii. viii. 129 The writ is now issued and must be served on the defendant within one year. 2009 (Nexis) 6 Nov. 6 The Department of Work and Pensions served the initial summons by post. the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > [verb (transitive)] > drive game into view of c1450 (?a1400) (BL Add. 31042) l. 218 (MED) Then the fawkoners..hyen To the reuere with thaire roddes to rere vp the fewles, Sowssches thaym full serely to seruen thaire hawkes. 1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius 14 Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke [L. Primum genus Accipitri seruit]. 1606 N. Baxter sig. G2v [Referring to spaniels.] To serue the Spar-hawke, Faulcon and Laneret.., The Marlyon, Hobby, Hawkes of swiftest wing.., deserueth praise of the best fluent Pen. 1773 J. Campbell xxiii. 188 A hawk ought to be always served, if possible, before she grow weary. 1832 W. Hone 618/2 When they lighted upon a branch, or on the top of a house, the falconer went and served them with dogs. 1960 13 Oct. 829/2 The only way to make a game hawk is to serve her with quarry. 1995 N. Fox vii. 288/2 Serving the hawk is the most serious responsibility of the falconer in the field and is the hallmark of a good falconer and the key to a good hawk. 51. In racket sports (originally real tennis), volleyball, and other games played over a net or against a wall. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (intransitive)] > act as marker 1511 H. Watson tr. St. Bernardino sig. B.ivv They were constrayned for to abyde in a tenysplaye, or serue & fournysshe them of balles. 1531 in (1827) 180 Paid to one that served on the kinges side at Tennes at hampton-courte, in Rewarde, vs. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch 744 A young boy called Serapion (who euer did serue them the ball that played at tenis).., the king playing on a time, this young boy threw the ball to others that played with him, and not to him selfe. 1611 R. Cotgrave Naquet, the boy that serues, or stops the ball after the first bound, to make a better chace, at Tennis. Naqueter, to serue (or stop) a ball at Tennis. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (transitive)] > types of play or stroke 1564 T. Dorman f. 116v Is he not like thinke yow to serue him again with this tennis ball? 1647 N. Bacon 111 And as at Tenis the Dane and Bishop served each other with the fond Countrey man. 1894 30 June 11/2 I am to have the inestimable privilege of serving him with nice gentle balls. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (transitive)] > put ball into play society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (transitive)] > types of play or stroke 1579 G. Gilpin tr. P. van Marnix van Sant Aldegonde i. iv. f. 48 For all the Balles that are serued on that syde the Tenise Court, are easilye smitten backe and turned at the rebounde. 1696 R. Howlett (new ed.) 97 Love is the Court, Hope is the House, And Favour serves the Ball. 1775 C. Jones 218 Round Service, is serving the Ball round the Pent-house. 1837 D. Walker 255 The player who commences..must serve the first ball over a red line marked upon the wall. 1878 J. Marshall 161 The ball served must be struck with the racket. 1932 31 Dec. 694/2 Bang! He serves the ball on to the front wall [sc. of a squash court]. 2015 (Nexis) 7 July 17 Sam Groth served the ball at 236 kilometres an hour at Wimbledon on the weekend. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > play real tennis [verb (intransitive)] > start play 1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius 296/2 Datatim ludere,..to serue, or to tosse from hand to hand. 1614 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Of Benefits ii. xvii. in tr. Seneca 28 Yet ought a good Tennis-player to serue either easily or strongly, according as he perceiueth his companion to be further or neerer off him. 1688 R. Holme iii. v. 265/1 They that serve upon the Pent-house, are to serve behind the Blew on the Hazard side, else it is a loss. 1772 J. Fenn 49 When he who serves misses the ball, it is a Chace. 1809 W. Nicholson VI. at Tennis If the ball rolls round the penthouse..the player must serve again. 1878 J. Marshall 162 The server continues to serve until two chases be made. 1908 15 June 134/1 On the first game of the last set Winston served and the Georgians won only a single point. 1971 S. Wasserman (new ed.) 84 If a player, in attempting to serve, misses the ball altogether, it is a lost point. 2017 G. Marzorati liv. 263 John had found a rhythm and was serving and volleying with verve. the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (transitive)] > turn quarry 1575 G. Gascoigne Short Obseruation Coursing with Greyhoundes in 247 If there be no Cotes gyuen betwene a brase of Greyhounds, but the one of them serueth the other at turnyng. a1600 in G. Markham (1615) i. vii. 105 If one dogge turne the Hare, serue himselfe, and turne her againe, those two turnes shall be as much as a coate. 1831 6 Mar. Gunshot..turned his hare, served himself, and turned her again, before Lightfoot came in. 1877 11 Jan. 8/5 Warlock stretched out four lengths in advance of Royal Prince for a strong drive, and holding his place when the hare broke away, put in several good wrenches before serving Royal Prince. 1913 12 July 83/3 Great Idea..came round smartly after the turn, and served himself for two more before Massa Johnson became placed for a wrench and a turn. 53. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > by winding or folding something round > wind so as to wrap a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. xii. sig. Pp7 Parthenia laid his head in her lap, tearing of her linnen sleeues & partlet, to serue about his wounds. 1794 D. Steel I. 56 Serving-Mallet has a round head, about twelve inches long, to serve round the parcelling and spunyarn, which is woolded round the rope. 1806 A. Duncan 43 Her hull had long been kept together by cables served round. 1870 11 Mar. 625/3 Over which a tarred rope..is ‘served’ or wrapped. 1921 (State Coll. Washington) Dec. 33 A few threads of hemp or marlin served about the taut line for the knot to pull against will improve the hitch. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > build a ship [verb (transitive)] > fit out or equip > ropework operations 1627 J. Smith v. 25 To sarue any rope with plats or Sinnet, is..to lay Sinnet, Spun yarne, Rope yarne, or a peece of Canuas vpon the rope, and then rowle it fast to keepe the rope from galling. 1669 S. Sturmy v. xii. 64 Ropes..served close..with Yarn. 1775 N. D. Falck 54 The eyes, as well as the splice by which they were bent, were also served with inch rope. 1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright 232 It [sc. the copper conductor] is then served with a covering of tape which has been well soaked in Stockholm tar. 1895 ‘J. Bickerdyke’ in ‘J. Bickerdyke’ et al. (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 60 For the simpler binding, intended merely to act as a protection.., we say we ‘serve’ the line rather than ‘whip’ it. 1919 12 Apr. 605/1 The two insulated conductors are..served with jute. 1985 Dec. 43/3 You can serve your own knife handle with a nylon line. 2017 C. I. Corder in J. E. Bruseth et al. vii. 214 If a rope was both wormed and parceled, it could finally be served to further protect the rope. 54. Military. society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate (artillery) [verb (transitive)] 1664 30 The English which were in the Port of the said City so far forgot themselves, as to serve the Artillery of the said City against the Besiegers. 1678 tr. L. de Gaya i. 45 Two of those that serve the Gun take care to place the Piece again into his place; the Commissary levels it and gives order to fire. 1776 Aug. 513/2 Each piece of cannon is served by six men. 1837 2 Mar. 131 Second Lieutenant Thomas, of the 4th artillery, was directed to go on board the steamboat Santee, serve the six pounder, and direct his fire upon the right of the enemy. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. v. 611 The cannon,..though ill served, brought the engagement to a speedy close. 1958 F. Downey ix. 153 He pitched in to help a depleted crew serve one of his pieces. 2012 H. Turtledove iii. 40 The other men who served the machine gun thought he made a pretty fair leader. society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate artillery [verb (intransitive)] > close vent 1778 T. Fortune Introd. 1 The first thing that is generally taught any artillerist, is the exercising of the great guns..: that is, the manner of spunging and loading with loose powder by the ladle, ramming home, serving the vent, [etc.]. 1828 J. M. Spearman 175 Number..2, sponges; 3, loads; 4, serves the vent and primes. 1887 30 July 9/6 No fewer than three of the twenty-two detachments began to sponge out before the vent was served. 1902 (War Office) (ed. 7) 140 Vent-Servers are used instead of employing the thumb, as was formerly the practice in serving the vent of a gun. The present pattern is Mark IV. 2011 J. Kinard in S. C. Tucker 29/1 If the ventsman failed to serve the vent properly, the compressed air could act as a bellows to ignite any sparks. Phrasesc1330 (Auch.) (1991) l. 44 No man may wel serue tweie lordes to queme. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1913) 57 No man may wel serue two maistres. for that one corumpeth that other. 1564 tr. P. M. Vermigli f. 265 Neither is it lawfull for any manne to professe hymselfe to be a Christian, whiche will not departe from the superior Magistrae in these thynges, whiche are agaynste the woorde of God. Thys were to haue a wyll to serue two Lordes, and to halte in two partes. 1651 T. Hobbes ix. §1. 135 Dominion (that is) supreme power is indivisible, insomuch as no man can serve two Masters. 1797 J. Cartwright 51 Those servers of God and Mammon, who pretend to serve two masters in opposite interests. 1853 C. Brontë I. xxiv. 180 To speak truth, I compromised matters; I served two masters. 1908 9 Sept. 163/2 It is quite possible..to serve two lords, without hating or despising either of them, but the saying is absolutely and unchangeably true of the effort to serve two masters in spiritual life. 1969 24 Oct. 14/2 ‘No one can serve two masters,’ Oakes said, pointing out that..the AEC is both promoter and regulator of nuclear plants. 2005 1 Aug. iii. 1/1 Neither [firm] accepts fees from issuers of shares or bonds, which keeps them out of the morass of serving two masters. P2. to serve tables. c1425 (Cambr.) (1904) vi. 2 (MED) It es noghte righte þat we schul leue þo worde of God ande serue vnto þo bordes (þat es, atte þo mete).] ?1530 tr. J. Colet i. sig. B It is nat mete, that we shulde leaue the worde of god, and serue tables. 1539 Acts vi. 2 It is not mete yt we shuld leaue ye worde of God, & serue tables [Gk. διακονεῖν τραπέζαις, 1526 Tindale, serve at the tables]. 1585 C. Fetherston tr. J. Calvin xi. 277 The Apostles did denie that they could both serue tables, and attend vpon doctrine. a1629 M. Day (1636) iv. 99 The Apostle was not to leave Gospell, and to serve tables, because the greater work must be first intended. 1641 R. Brooke ii. v. 81 Some of these [sc. Officers of the Church] are to preach and administer the Sacraments, others to watch over mens manners, others to serve Tables, and looke to the poore. 1702 C. Mather v. ii. vii. 28/1 The Office and Work of a Deacon is..to keep the Treasury of the Church, and therewith to serve the Tables. 1806 Feb. 52 The business of these Deacons, was not only to serve tables, but also to preach the gospel. 1858 18 Dec. 394/1 The clergy, from their position and influence, from their desire to be of service to their fellow-men, are often compelled to serve tables. 1884 L. A. Tollemache 359 The violent recoil against materialism which..has induced many good..persons to sell their scientific birthright and to serve tables. 1917 19 May 555/1 Free the First Sea Lord from serving tables and doing administrative and routine work rather than brain work. 1921 W. B. Stevens in R. T. Flewelling 60 The clergy must be men of vision and insight, but they cannot be if they spend their time in serving tables. 2016 (Nexis) 10 Oct. 17 Those appointed to ‘serve tables’ by overseeing and auditing Peterborough Cathedral funds have failed in their duty. 1861 4 June Peaceful citizens worth half a million dollars are joyfully standing guard before and serving tables in the Union camps. 1895 31 Jan. You have seen them, these carelessly beautiful girls serving tables in cheap eating houses? 1928 May 227/2 After the grades were posted all those that fell below their estimate were compelled to serve tables at a banquet held in the dining room. 1980 A. Costello v. 51 She was in charge of a marvellous staff of women who cooked, served tables, and took care of other jobs. 2011 8 Jan. 1/2 A family walked into the motel restaurant where she serves tables, asking if the place was still open for lunch. P3. to be well (also ill, badly, etc.) served. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. f. cxxiiiv/2 They drewe them to their lodgynges,..and caused theym that were wounded to be well serued and serched. 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Auct. Prol. sig. b.v I see you are sycke, and be not well serued. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. 32 The common price of the Bagnio, is two Aspres to the Master; and they who would be well served [Fr. ceux qui se sont servir], give as much to the Man. 1775 M. S. Cooper II. xliv. 26 I am almost famished in a Morning for Want of my Breakfast, for here is Nobody up for Hours after me to serve me. Indeed I am poorly served at any Time. 1858 H. W. Longfellow i Serve yourself, would you be well served, is an excellent adage. 1869 L. M. Alcott II. i. 14 The mistress of a house, however splendid, should know how work ought to be done, if she wishes to be well and honestly served. 1989 A. Bermel & T. Emery tr. C. Gozzi i. i. in 131 The emperor commanded that my mother and father be brought to the poorhouse, and that they be well served and looked after there. 1820 tr. Critique Mr. Blomfield's Ed. Aeschyli Persæ in E. H. Barker 86 Where the poor poet really wants help, there he is deserted, or badly served, by his companion. 1880 T. Hardy III. xl. He has been badly served—badly served—by a woman. I never heard of a more heartless case in my life. 1924 13 Oct. 5/4 Cambridge were particularly well served..by P. S. Douty, who..gave a highly finished all-round display... Altogether he was unquestionably the man of the match. 1988 R. Christiansen ii. 60 Coleridge, not yet thirty, was a physically sick man, poorly served by the medicine of the time. 1991 24 Aug. 73/3 His claim that Muhammed was not an anti-feminist is not well served when, in his translation of the fourth chapter, the sura on women, he leaves out the vital 34th verse, which lays down emphatically the superiority of men. 2009 H. Schlossberg iii. 99 Our understanding of the Victorian Nonconformists has been badly served by both harsh judgments of outsiders..and by uncritical partisans. 1840 Oct. 188/1 Poor little thing! its scrawny branches were poorly served with leaves, and its trunk was long, thin, and consumptive. 1898 G. B. Shaw Candida in 29 A vast district..well served with ugly iron urinals. 1985 3 Oct. 29/7 We have to re-allocate resources from some parts of Britain that are relatively over-resourced to others less well served. 1995 115 148 The cosmologist is well served this year with articles on the microwave background, dark matter, and cosmic flows. 2018 J. A. Johnson et al. ii. xviii. 348/2 Rural areas are particularly poorly served with access to health care. society > authority > subjection > service > serve [verb (intransitive)] > serve one's country 1531 T. Elyot iii. xxiv. sig. h.iiijv Our wittes may be amended, & our personages be more apte to serue our publike weale and our prince. 1538 R. Morison tr. J. Sturm sig. Cv Our forefathers dyd institute this monkysshe lyfe, bycause they wolde haue men holy, lerned, fytte to serue their countrey. 1600 W. Cornwallis I. iii. sig. D1 He serued his country for his countries sake. 1671 J. Milton 564 To what can I be useful, wherein serve My Nation . View more context for this quotation 1738 tr. J. Butler 183 Tho' she had given the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland to another, yet I thought myself recompensed in having served my Country. 1785 W. Cowper iii. 794 He burns with most intense and flagrant zeal To serve his country. 1837 T. Carlyle II. v. vi. 322 War-Minister Narbonne,..threatens,..to ‘take his sword’,..and go serve his country with that. 1857 J. Ruskin Add. 196 A labourer serves his country with his spade, just as a man in the middle ranks of life serves it with his sword, pen, or lancet. 1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato IV. 466 Those who serve their country ought to serve without receiving gifts. 1960 19 Feb. 3/4 He had joined the Germans only to get to Britain and there serve his country. 2012 21 1858/1 The pride many servicemen take in serving their country may also increase their satisfaction with life. the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > be inconstant [verb (intransitive)] > temporize or trim ?1544 E. Allen tr. A. Alesius sig. Aiiijv I determined with my self to serue the tyme [L. tempori seruiendum esse] and to change the preaching of the crosse with the scyence of physik. 1588 R. Bancroft 37 The scriptures are appointed to serve the time, and have divers understandings: so that at one time they may be expounded after the..ordinarie custome: & that the same custome being changed, the meaning of the Scriptures may likewise be changed. 1593 R. Hooker i. i. 48 Who thinke that herein we serue the time, and speake in fauour of the present state, because thereby we eyther holde or seeke preferment. 1689 R. Atkyns 36 Let us not..approve of all things, tho' delivered by Authors of greatest Name, for they often serve the Times, or their Affections, and bend the Rules as occasion requires. 1734 13 In righteous Lore, 'tis now become no Crime, To suit Convenience, or to serve the Time. 1823 Ld. Byron xviii. 64 Be wary, watch the time, and always serve it. 1865 W. J. Linton 259 England! be thyself again: Ask not what may serve the time; See where standeth Truth sublime, Ask her will, and be thou fain. 2009 G. L. Bray tr. Ambrosiaster 97/2 Paul himself ‘served the time’ when he did what he did not want to do, for he unwillingly circumcised Timothy and purified himself by shaving his head according to the law. society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (intransitive)] > keep shop or work in shop 1566 J. Securis sig. Dv Yf..he [sc. an apothecary] hathe suche a one vnder hym to serue the shoppe that is of lyke qualities: It is not then so greatly necessary for the phisytion to be present. 1796 H. More 6 Deck'd in her best she comes in view, And serves the shop from twelve to two. 1868 10 Jan. It was customary to live at one's place of business, and the wives and daughters served the shop. 1907 17 May 91/2 It is a good thing to have a w.c. and a fairly large sink, for the use of those serving the shop. 1962 10 Sept. 8/6 Some of the ‘Bills’ who served the shop, banged their big bells and yelled: ‘C'mon Missus. All the specks a penny.’ P7. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (intransitive)] > deserve well or ill > get one's deserts society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > deserve (well or ill) > give one his deserts 1587 J. Higgins (new ed.) i. Iago f. 42 This sleeper..Which for his slouthfull sinne was serued right. 1607 R. C. in tr. H. Estienne To Rdr. sig. A3v If he laugh them to scorne, and deride their dreames and dotages, he serues them but right. 1705 tr. W. Bosman xx. 419 What think you, Sir, Were not these Villains right served? 1728 C. Cibber ii. i. 32 They serv'd you right enough! will you never have done with your Horse-play? 1773 C. Dibdin ii. vi. 31 Jen. I shall see his ghost every night. Sim. And it serves you right. ?1788 in (new ed.) I. 151 It would serve you right to let you be taken in. 1844 W. M. Thackeray Barry Lyndon x in May 551/2 The good old days in Europe, before the cowardice of the French aristocracy (in the shameful Revolution, which served them right) brought discredit and ruin upon our order. 1885 J. Payn I. 99 Confound the fellow!..it would serve him right if they tossed him. 1894 13 Jan. 115/4 No method bad is this, which can Make wife beaters quail in fright, For such treatment serves him right. 1915 W. S. Maugham xxi. 86 ‘It would serve you right if I told him,’ said Mr. Carey. 1936 12 Dec. 1027/1 The old Catholic families..were served right for the Marian persecutions. 1960 P. D. East vii. 36 I was served right for having not paid heed to my instructions. 1968 18 Jan. 19/3 If complacency was responsible for Arsenal's lapse and the defence's unforced errors, then it served them right. 2014 (Nexis) 3 Apr. Instead of an award, Capa got a dressing down which served him right. b. serve(s) (you, me, them, etc.) right. 1837 C. Dickens xlii. 454 Natural death..workhouse funeral—serve him right—all over. 1842 R. H. Barham Misadventures Margate in 2nd Ser. 154 ‘He's stolen my things and run away!!’—Says she, ‘And sarve you right!!’ 1889 A. Lang vi. 45 Everyone had heard of his disgrace, and almost everyone cried ‘Serve him right!’ 1932 S. Gibbons xvi. 224 ‘Serve her right, the old trout,’ muttered Flora. 2009 J. Eagland 258 She is clearly in the final stages of the disease and just for a second I can't help thinking, Serves her right. 1844 July 393 We see juries laying their heads together to generate verdicts on the ‘serve him right’ principle. 1875 22 May 349/1 Those who are disinclined to accept a ‘serve him right’ mode of dismissing the matter. 1909 Feb. 169/1 Brother C. E. Graves.., with a ‘serves-you-right’ expression, bows to us and goes on his way leaving us unaided. 1935 H. Straumann i. 29 Lastly there is the Daily Worker, the Communist paper, with its serve-him-right attitude. 1977 15 Aug. 66/2 The widespread serves-them-right judgment that greeted New York's misfortune. 2017 @bhubaza 6 Nov. in twitter.com (accessed 7 Aug. 2020) It is insanely hot and our maintenance guy keeps giving us the ‘serves you right’ look cause we complained the aircon was too cold last week. P8. to serve (one's) time. 1569 J. Saparton (single sheet) If euer warlike wighte, Hath serued his time in vaine. 1582 A. Munday sig. Diij Then he beginneth to rip vp the course of my life, Howe I was an Apprentise, and serued my tyme well with deceyuing my Maister. 1660 J. Naylor 23 If..the prentice serves his time honestly and truely, and have his Masters testimony thereto, yet is he denyed his freedome, if he cannot sweare for Conscience sake. 1712 J. Arbuthnot iv. 9 Lewis Baboon had taken up the Trade of Clothier and Draper, without serving his Time, or purchasing his Freedom. 1787 19 Apr. 4/3 (advt.) A Person who has served his time to the brewery will be happy to be employed as a Clerk. 1804 12 510 A new Class of Officers, to be called Sub-Lieutenants, are to be appointed, selected from Midshipmen who have served their time. 1863 (1865) II. 418/1 I served my time to trawling. 1886 23 Aug. 4/2 Born at Troutbeck..he served his time to the trade of bobbin-turner. 1956 S. H. Bell iii. 40 I had a brother who was a joiner and he served his time in the shipyard and he got his London City and Guilds and that sort of thing. 2004 G. Beattie (2013) (e-book ed.) My brother served his time as an apprentice electrician at Scott's. 1793 27 May The rest are the Convicts who have served their time, and are now become Settlers. 1802 v. 124 Passage boats were allowed now to go from Sydney to Paramatta. These were the property of convicts who had served their time. 1834 J. Simpson 290 In the colony, the Archbishop says, even the convicts who have served their time, or been pardoned, and moreover acquired property, are unreclaimed. 1886 24 Sept. 287 Every unfortunate or miscreant who has once ‘served time’. 1906 U. Sinclair (1981) xvi. 168 This time Jurgis was bound for the ‘Bridewell’, a petty jail where Cook County prisoners serve their time. 1952 W. R. Burnett v. 44 In the early 'twenties he'd served time..for bootlegging... Since then.., he'd been..on the legit. 2016 G. Zara & D. P. Farrington ii. 50 The vast majority of men who served time in prison were those offenders who committed at least five offences. 1670 W. Penn (new ed.) (title page) Which may serve the Place of a General Reply to such late Discourses. 1756 T. Pelham-Holles 13 Let not Resignations, my Countrymen, serve the place of Enquiry. 1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in 1st Ser. I. xii. 242 She lighted..a splinter of bog pine which was to serve the place of a candle. 1837 C. Lofft I. 199 They may serve the stead of presence of mind, to a certain point at least. 1907 29 May 6/2 It will serve the stead of a million recruiting sergeants in our next big war. 1972 56 254 The book consists of..worked examples serving the place of formal proofs. 2007 19 992 Even racism does not quite serve the place of blood and soil nationalism. society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (intransitive)] > practise at the bar c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. Prol. l. 85 Þer houeþ an Hundret In Houues of selk, Seriauns hit semeþ to seruen atte Barre. 1603 Ld. Ellesmere Let. in J. P. Collier (1840) 372 Moost of the Judges are aged, and the Serjeantes at Lawe now servinge at the barre not so sufficyent to supplye judiciall places as were to be wyshed. 1752 A. McDouall II. iv. iii. 485 There is no reason, why those who serve at the bar should not live by the bar. 1816 May 15 At a time, when a classical education and law learning were not deemed essential qualifications for a judge, it may be supposed, that those who served at the bar were but little distinguished by scientifick attainments. 2018 L. Connolly (e-book ed.) I did manage to take silk, but I had to give up my plan to serve at the Bar in order to make my living. society > armed hostility > military service > serve as a soldier [verb (intransitive)] 1590 J. Smythe Ded. sig. *2v That haue seene and serued in the well ordered warres of Emperours or Kings. 1604 W. Shakespeare iv. vii. 69 I haue seene my selfe, and seru'd against the French. 1678 A. Lovell tr. La Fontaine 35 A young Gentleman who hath seen and served in a Campagn, and sometimes by favour, is commonly placed in that charge. Phrasal verbs to serve away Now rare. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (intransitive)] the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] 1709 T. Hall 112 When your Sturgeon is ready, put it off, and put your sause over it with Sugar, and so serve it away. 1747 H. Glasse xi. 123 Put in the Meat again..and let it boil; then serve it away. 1788 M. Cole 234 Toast the bread brown on both sides..; then cut up some cheese very thin, and lay it..over the bread, and put it in a tin oven before the fire, and it will be presently toasted and browned. Serve it away hot. 1936 J. E. Hoover 5 In the neighboring commonwealth, a man may serve away the best years of his life in atonement. 2018 @SubjectKpop 16 Sept. in twitter.com (accessed 1 Aug. 2020) [Responding to the question: You work or still study?] In the Military serving my life away. Now chiefly U.S. 1. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > serve person 1381 Diuersa Servicia in C. B. Hieatt & S. Butler (1985) 75 For to make rys moyle. Nym rys & bray hem ryȝt wel in a mortere, & cast þereto god almaunde mylk & sugur & salt; & boyle it & serue yt forth. a1450 in T. Austin (1888) 8 Sette hem on þe dysshe, an serue forth. 1508 (de Worde) sig. A.ivv Yf marshall squyers and seruauntes of armes be there than serue forth your souerayne withouten blame. 1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 257/1 in I No superfluous meates & drinkes to be sought by sea & land, nor curiously dressed or serued forth with sauces. 1601 in (1790) 284 Groomes in the seller and buttery, did in times past drawe the wine and drinkes themselves, and the Pages did carry it to..the barre; for there waited continually a yeoman to serve it forth. 1654 R. Vilvain i. 25 'Tis nausity to serv forth twise sod Coleworts. 1827 11 Sept. About 12 o'clock [we] reached the spot on St. Mary's Loch, where our repast was to be served forth. 1948 20 Dec. 4 (advt.) Use green pepper and glazed cranberries for the holly trim [for a ham]. Now serve it forth! 2010 M. Clark vi. 220 Bumpy-topped and greasy, they [sc. quiches in the 1980s] were zapped in the microwave before being served forth, unappetizing and leaden. the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. l. 502 The beste wordes wolde I pike..And serve hem forth in stede of chese. 1575 in J. Strype (1731) Suppl. 12 The said Thurland..did suffer certain Extents to be served forth upon the said Lands for his own debts. 1652 R. Carpenter 39 Holy Scripture proposeth different Laws, serving them forth in different Times. 1752 II. 107 His usual salute, and welcome Entertainment, served forth at his first Entrance by his faithful, eager, and desirable Wife. 1846 29 Mar. In the Easter week, wrestling, single-stick, cricket, trap ball, &c., and a variety of manly sports, will be served forth profusely in a field contiguous to this establishment. 1913 H. Jordan xvi. 226 Not even a republican official serving forth information with amazing celerity..can chase away the ancient state and the brooding air of kingship. 2008 (Nexis) 28 May While this project may have had the best..intentions, it ends up..serving forth a batch of tunes that often feel wooden, and at worst boring. society > education > learning > [verb (transitive)] > serve apprenticeship 1537 T. Dorset 13 Mar. (Cleo. E.iv/1) f. 131v Than one saide to the Byshope that they had good trust that they shold serue fforthe there lyffe tymes, And he saide they shulde serue it out at cart then. 1599 Ord. Pewterers City of York in (1891) 5 76 If anye Mr..shall forton to dye before thend of the tearme of the same apprentice, the same apprentice not to be sett over to anye other to serve forth his tearme with. 1685 18 To die, or to have served forth his time, or to be displaced, or removed from his said Office or Place of Master. 1854 S. R. Bosanquet xlv. 400 The Son of God being made the servant of all.., even unto death, and the serving forth his life for the ransom of many, that is, of all mankind, who are his enemies and murderers. 1. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] a1450 in T. Austin (1888) 6 (MED) Whan þou seruyst yt inne, knocke owt þe marw of þe bonys. a1450 in T. Austin (1888) 7 Let boyle to-gederys, an serue in. c1530 Doctrynall Good Servauntes in E. F. Rimbault (1842) 8 Fyrste serue ye in the potage, And than eche meet after his degre. 1617 F. Moryson iii. 83 At supper they served in a peece of roasted beefe hot. 1749 J. Cleland II. 90 The company, after a short refection of biscuits and wine, tea and chocolate, serv'd in at, now, about one in the morning, broke up. 1827 in W. Scott Introd. App. The dinner was very handsome (though slowly served in). 1877 J. F. Elton Jrnl. 29 Oct. in (1879) ii. iv. 344 A repast of excellent rice and buffalo-meat (dried) was served in, and we then lay down to sleep soundly. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] > serve person 1629 J. Wadsworth iii. 16 Now let vs come to the Collegiates or Students, and their diet: First they are serued in by seuen of their owne rancke Weekely and in Course. 1669 Songs Alamode in 107 For the first Course, she serves me in Four Birds that Dainties are. 1576 A. Fleming in tr. J. Caius To Rdr. sig. Aivv As for such as shall..teare the Translatour.., with the teeth of spightfull enuye,..If I serue in their meate with wrong sawce, ascribe it not to vnskilfulnesse in coquery, but to ignoraunce in their diet. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 14 Then giue me leaue to read Philosophy, And while I pause, serue in your harmony. View more context for this quotation 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini ii. xiv. 243 History is meat not only well seasoned..but substantially and magnificently served in to please the curious pallat. society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > serve with writ 1630 135 A Waiting Gentlewoman being summoned into a Court to take an Oath (for she was serued in with a sub pœna) The Examiner asked how [etc.]. 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 390 That no prentice haue his fredom of Burgesshippe, but he serue out fulle vij. yere of prentishode. ?1535–6 T. Dorset Let. 13 Mar. in T. Wright (1843) 38 He said they shulde serve it out at cart then. 1553 R. Ascham Let. 24 Mar. in H. Ellis (1843) 16 Som reason I have, to be made free and jorneyman in lernyng, whan I have allready served out three prentyships at Cambrige. 1652 No. 130. 1927 Apprentises..should serve out their Time in any of the three Nations, according to the conveniency of his Masters businesse. 1685 J. Dryden Pref. sig. (b)2 As if I had not serv'd out my time in Poetry, but was bound 'Prentice to some doggrel Rhymer. 1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer 110 Those who had served out their time [sc. as soldiers]. 1780 G. Mason Let. 6 Oct. in T. Jefferson (1951) IV. 18 Three or four Serjeants..had served out their Time in the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment. 1823 M. L. Bevan Let. 10 Mar. in 771 No person..shall be sent to the prison of the city and county of Philadelphia, but shall serve out the time of their sentence in the gaol of the proper county. 1885 XIX. 756/2 The obligation to return to a convict prison to serve out the unexpired term of penal servitude. 1923 6 Jan. 37/2 When a man serves out his time the instrument he played remains the property of the league. 1974 Dec. 179/3 He was taken immediately to Annandale Reformatory to serve out his old sentence. 2020 (Nexis) 20 June 18 People are already talking about whether he will serve out the full term. 1555 W. Turner f. 36v Thys cooke shoulde serue out a dyshe of obedience vnto the kynge. 1635 E. Grimeston tr. M. Baudier vi. 37 They serue out thirtie Dishes, in the which are thirtie forts of meates. 1793 J. MacDonell Diary 15 Aug. in C. M. Gates (1933) 101 Our Bourgeois came up with us and ordered each man a dram, which I served out to them. 1819 W. Scott III. x. 240 To preside over the stock-fish and ale, which was just serving out for the friars' breakfast. 1868 F. W. Hoyle viii. 78 A mess, composed of fowls, mutton, potatoes, and onions, made into a sort of stew, formed the repast, which was served out in the plated circular entrée dishes. 1905 Baroness Orczy iv. 33 Already Lord Antony had served out the soup. 1921 28 Jan. p. iii/2 Of course beer was beer then, and not the chemical stuff which is served out to-day. 1986 D. Adams et al. 72/2 Bob..began to serve out the delicious bird. 2017 (Nexis) 10 Aug. We would like to thank the Colebrooke Mothers Union for preparing and serving out the tea. 3. 1565 T. Cooper at Metior Parcè & paulatim metiri frumentum, to serue out corne sparyngly by littell and littell. 1664 in (City of London, Court of Common Council) (?1675) 5 We find..other Retailers willing to Sell by the just Measures, and at much lower Rates than the Wood-mongers do, if they could be supplyed with Carrs to serve out their Coals to the Buyers. 1727 A. Hamilton II. li. 239 Out of which is served out to the military..320000 Peculs of Rice. 1802 J. Richardson in 7 54 My grog was served out. 1827 O. W. Roberts 67 I served out some kegs of gunpowder. 1887 F. Francis xi. 207 The short measures of flour which ‘Rowdy Jack’, one of their fellow-men, served out. 1934 ‘E. Mordaunt’ 157 She was promoted to..helping in the shop, serving out matches and tobacco, shovelling out sugar. 1938 ‘G. Orwell’ Homage to Catalonia in J. E. Lewis (2001) 190 Bombs were served out, three to a man. 2016 (Nexis) 6 Apr. 7 The cheese needed to be cut with wire to be served out in rationed portions, 2 oz per person per week. society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > inflict disciplinary or corrective punishment society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] 1829 ii. 702 Flogging was as regularly ‘served out,’ as when the constituted authorities were in full possession. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Serving out slops, distributing clothing, &c. Also, a cant term to denote punishment at the gangway. 1884 S. St. John iii. 81 On many of the large estates, a certain number of lashes was served out every morning as regularly as the rations. 1906 Flash Frigate in J. Masefield 189 Our senior lieutenant.., he cuts such a swell.., And at the lee gangway he serves out the cat . 4. society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > inflict retributive punishment upon 1809 17 May 304/1 The prisoner said..this would but detain him a few months; and he would be d——d if he did not serve me out when he came out of trouble, with the most bitter oaths and expressions. 1817 50 18 The butcher was so completely served out, that he resigned all pretensions to victory. 1819 T. Moore (ed. 3) 34 And whosoe'er grew unpolite, The well-bred Champion serv'd him out. 1836 P. Hawker (1893) II. 113 I'll serve him out for it. 1863 C. Kingsley v. 183 I will serve you out for telling the salmon where I was! 1891 C. E. L. Riddell 9 He set his mind to work to consider how he could best serve me out. 1920 E. F. Benson (N.Y. ed.) 23 That served him out for his ‘trap’ about the real pear introduced among the stone specimens. 2006 V. Heley xiii. 167 She'd made a solemn vow..to serve him out for what he'd done to her. the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > on horseback 1862 ‘The Druid’ 398 This was the third or fourth flight of rails which Cognac, who was very fresh after a frost,..had served out that day. 1882 J. A. Ramsay ii. 16 For years after the holing was made, the gas served out very strongly. 6. In racket sports (esp. tennis), volleyball, and other games played over a net or against a wall. 1919 4 Aug. 13/6 After a long deuce session Miss Wagner served out the set at 8–6. 1958 20 Apr. 24/5 [Roger] Becker was within sight of victory. He served the match out in the next game. 1966 23 Mar. 4/5 The public schools rackets championships... Osborne showed a cool head in a crisis to serve the game out for Radley. 2008 P. Sampras & P. Bodo 101 Jim broke me again in the eighth game, and then he served out the set with an ace. 1937 9 May 2/8 McDiarmid served out for the match, ending it with an aceing smash. 1959 2 July 3/1 Mackay saved his next game, broke to 8–7 in an uproar, and served out heroically for the set. 1991 5 Jan. 30/7 Coombs added salt to the wound by starting with two aces as he served out with a flourish for a victory. 2011 M. Mills viii. 103 They both served out to force a third and deciding set. 1. the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [verb (transitive)] c1475 J. Lydgate Horse, Goose, & Sheep (Harl.) in F. J. Furnivall (1903) 23 Served vp [corresponding to sewid vp in: a1500 Lansd. A fatt goos..Is sewid vp atte kyngis table]. 1587 T. Dawson (new ed.) f. 4 Cut a Lemman in peeces.., and laye them vppon the chickins when you serue them vp, and lay soppes vpon the dish. 1667 J. Milton ix. 38 Marshal'd Feast Serv'd up in Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals. View more context for this quotation 1796 W. Spavens 65 As the waiter was serving up the wine, he made his objection, saying, that scoundrel shall not drink with me! 1878 W. S. Gilbert ii. And dinner served up in a pudding basin! 1950 2 Dec. 11/1 ‘Oh, I like working at night,’ Miss McNatt added, serving up another cup of coffee to a truck driver. 2013 C. McBeth 47 We both hate macaroni cheese, especially the one they serve up in the school canteen. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) II. 2126/1 As my Lordes dyner at that tyme was seruyng vp, Moone departed. 1687 J. Phillips tr. M. de Cervantes ii. iii. xiv. 502 The Wind Musick play'd all the while Dinner was serving up. 1772 181/1 The Earl of Westmoreland..was taken suddenly as the second course was serving up, and died in a few minutes after in his chair. 1807 July 39 A third [man] drops in when dinner is serving up, and declares he comes quite ‘á propos’. 1891 G. Cupples (1899) 256 Nothing more had been said..till supper was serving up for the bell-tent, where the surveyors had their quarters. 1604 T. Dekker Ep. Ded. sig. A3v They are Rimes that I have boyld in my leaden Inckpot, for thine owne eating: And now..taste the reason why they are serued vp to thee (in the taile of the Plague) like Caveare, or a dish of Anchoues after supper. 1654 E. Johnson xlv. 107 In serving up civill Government, they daily direct their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to keepe the truths of Christ pure and unspotted. 1712 J. Addison No. 488. ¶2 Provided the Spectator might be served up to them every Morning as usual. 1848 J. R. Bartlett To Serve up, to expose to ridicule; to expose. 1875 H. E. Manning xiii. 371 You serve them up to us like new articles of science. 1928 Dec. 550/1 Find out what kind of television Baird is planning to serve up to the British people. 1973 P. Arnold & C. Davis 152/1 An unpleasant match, pocked by some seventy fouls and unhappily extended to extra time, was served up in the Aztec Stadium. 2016 (Nexis) 23 Feb. 72 The French Romantic painter serves up scenes of sword-plunging, foe-slaying, flesh-conquering fantasy. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † servev.2Origin: Probably a borrowing from French. Etymon: French servir. Etymology: Probably < Anglo-Norman servir to merit, deserve (a reward or punishment) (although this is apparently first attested later: last quarter of the 14th cent.), of uncertain origin, either shortened (with loss of the prefix) < deservir deserve v., or a specific semantic development of servir serve v.1 With the latter possibility, compare Old Occitan servir to merit, deserve, and also Italian †servire to merit (a reward or punishment), to deserve or earn (a fee for a job) (13th cent.), which is usually taken as a specific sense development of servire serve v.1In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix). Obsolete. Chiefly Scottish and northern. 1. To earn or become worthy of reward, punishment, etc.; to secure a right to something by service or actions. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > deserve (well or ill) ?a1300 Dame Sirith l. 197 in G. H. McKnight (1913) 9 Þou seruest affter godes grome, Wen þou seist on me silk blame. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1686 Oc serf me seuene oðer ger, If ðu salt rachel seruen her. c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) l. 951 Þei sche haue serued to be spilt Þe child þerof haþ no gilt. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 9268 (MED) Þis thral þat þou fra þe has flemed Wel has serued for to be demed. a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Lamb.) (1887) l. 4900 My self he wolde exile & chace & slo... Y serued neuere [?a1400 Petyt serued nouht] he scholde so do. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil i. Prol. 78 Quhar I offend, the les repreif serf I. a1600 R. Lindsay (1899) I. 195 It is tyme to seik your reward quhan ye haue serwed it. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (intransitive)] > deserve well or ill c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Otho) (1978) l. 12053 And he þare eche cnihtes ȝef alle hire rihtes. ech one he ȝaf heahte ase hii i-sareued [c1275 Calig. iærned] hadde. 1387 Will in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 210 (MED) I ordeine watkyn, my sone, secutour & Bartilmewe, neue, þat oþer, & vp-on this y will þat Bartilmewe..haue for hys traueal after þat he seruit. a1450 (1885) 8 To suffir sorowe on soght, syne þai haue seruid so. a1500 (c1400) (1977) l. 275 (MED) He þat rewardes vche a renke as he has riȝt seruyd Myȝt euel forgo the to gyfe of His grace summe brawnche. 1575 J. Rolland ii. f. 23 Sayand, curst knaif thow sall haif afflictioun As thow did serue, rise, and resaif thy bill. 2. To deserve or be entitled to something; to be or to have become worthy to have praise or blame, reward or punishment. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > deserve (well or ill) c1300 St. Leonard (Harl.) l. 373 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (1956) 476 Þis false man wel sone Deide & wende adeuelewey, as he seruede to done. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 4851 I serued nouht he suld do so. a1450 (Vesp.) (1902) l. 614 Vn-to hell we suld take hede, And were vs euer with al our mayn Fro filth of sin, þat sarues payn. c1475 (?c1400) (1842) 26 (MED) In þis maner of curse þat men curse man iustli for his misdede was Crist not cursid, for he seruid not to be cursid. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 276 And how nane servis to haue sweitnes That never taistit bittirnes. 1575 J. Rolland ii. f. 22v Thou seruis weill on Rakkis to be rent. 1626 J. Kennedy sig. F2 When you seek to foyle poore womens fame, Vnder a loves pretext, serve you not blame? 1721 J. Kelly 319 They give you less wite than you serve. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (intransitive)] > deserve well or ill c1350 (Harl. 874) (1961) 19 (MED) I seche þe reynes & þe hertes & ȝelde mede after þat þai seruen [Fr. solunc lur deserte]. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 10v Þat ȝe me faith make In dede for to do as I desyre wille And my wille forto wirke if I wele serue. 1574 J. Higgins Manlius f. 36 We ether are rewarded, as we serue: Or else are plaged, as our deedes deserue. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021). † servev.3Origin: Probably of multiple origins. Probably partly a borrowing from Latin. Probably partly formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymons: Latin servāre ; preserve v. Etymology: Probably partly (i) < classical Latin servāre to watch over, guard, look after, to observe, to keep, to maintain, keep up, to preserve, to reserve, to save, probably < servus serf n., and partly (ii, in later use) shortened < preserve v. (which is first attested slightly later).Uses of this word are often difficult to distinguish from uses of serve v.1, and many of the quotations in this entry have been treated as examples of that word by modern editors. Obsolete. 1. the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve from decay, loss, or destruction a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2185 Þe witthi werwolf..þouȝt..forto saue and serue þo tvo semli beres; & prestly þan putte him out in peril of deþe. c1400 J. Gower (1901) II. 489 My worthi noble prince and kyng enoignt, Whom god hath of his grace so preserved, Beholde [emended in ed. to Behold] and se the world uppon this point, As for thi part that Cristes pes be served. 1485 (Caxton) vi. xv. sig. l.vii Thenne wold I haue baumed hit [sc. thy body] and serued [a1470 Winch. Coll. sered] hit, and soo haue kepte it my lyfe dayes. 1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner 304 Whiche gathered diligently thou shalt serve [L. conseruabis] in a phyall of glas. c1450 (?a1422) J. Lydgate (Durh.) iv. l. 140 (MED) Yere by yere..this fest is seruede, In a chirche, whiche men of custome calle Sancta sanctorum, of olde fundacion. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 267 This fest [sc. all halowes] was..ordeynet..forto be fulfullet yn oure omyssyons for mony seyntys-dayes we leuen yn þe ȝere vnseruet; for þay ben so mony þat we may not serue hom all. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021). <  n.1eOEn.21480 n.31688 v.1c1175v.2?a1300v.3a1375 |
/səːv/, U.S.