servingn.
/ˈsəːvɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈsərvɪŋ/ The action of serve v.1 (in various senses).† 12. Cornwall. Mining. An amount of tin ore gathered for roasted or smelting. Obsolete.
1.
a. The action or an act of worshipping or venerating a god or gods, or (esp. in later use) an idol, image, etc. In early use also: a service or ceremony honouring a divine being, sacred object, etc. Now rare and archaic, and often passing into sense 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > [noun]
worthingeOE
bigengOE
worshipOE
knowledgingc1225
praising?c1225
holinessc1275
servicec1275
servingc1275
shrifta1300
anourc1330
worshippinga1333
devotion1340
blessing1382
the calves of our lipsc1384
gloryc1384
magnifyingc1384
worshipfulnessc1390
adoringc1405
divine service1415
adorationc1443
reverencingc1443
praise1447
culture1483
common servicea1500
venerationa1530
thanksgiving1533
cult1613
cultus1617
doxology1649
glorifying1748
feasting1840
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > [noun] > action or fact of revering
servingc1275
worshippinga1425
venerationa1530
worship1838
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4038 Þa þe seruuinge [c1300 Otho seruise] wes idon þat hit to þe mete com.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Gal. v. 19 The workis of the fleisch..ben fornycacioun, vnclennesse, vnchastite, leccherie, seruynge of ydols, [etc.].
c1400 Prose Versions New Test.: 1 Cor. (Selwyn) (1904) xii. 6 (MED) Þer ben dyuerse seruynges, bote it is al on Lord.
1550 J. Hooper Ouersight Jonas v. f. xcixv This infinite, daungerous, and supersticious nombre of sacrifices, and other seruings of god.
1615 E. Evans Verba Dierum 150 Those Papists, who wil not ioyne with vs in serving of God, in praising and glorifying his holy Name; not so much, some of them, as in saying Amen vnto our Graces.
1701 W. Bates Everlasting Rest Saints in Heaven iii. 42 Nothing shall disturb our most joyful Exercise in the serving and praising of God.
1759 R. Challoner Considerations Christian Truths (rev. ed.) II. 175 As to that kind of idolatry which consists in the serving of stocks and stones, there is no great danger of Christians incurring any such guilt as this.
1876 H. Cowles Gospel & Ep. John 379 A passage..showing how naturally the inspired minds of that age put in contrast the serving of idols and the serving of the one living and true God.
1937 Jrnl. Biblical Lit. 56 196 Chapter 10 [of Jeremiah] is a discourse contrasting the serving of false gods, and of idols, with the worship of the one true God.
b. The action of serving and acting in accordance of the perceived will of a god or gods, as by habitual obedience, good works, etc.; religious devotion.In early use, often difficult to distinguish clearly from sense 1a.
ΚΠ
a1350 in K. Böddeker Altengl. Dichtungen (1878) 199 Iesu,..Þou ne askest me non oþer þing, bote trewe loue & eke seruyng.
1556 tr. J. Calvin Catechisme 91 The right seruyng of God (that is to saye of obedience to his wil)..is the second parte of the honour due vnto hym.
1621 T. Proctor Righteous Mans Way iii. 15 Often recording them in our minde, and respeaking of them to our children and family, will occasion the more willing serving of God in keeping of his Commandements.
1767 N. Daggett (title) The faithful serving of God and our generation, the only way to a peaceful and happy death.
1859 Church of Eng. Mag. 2 July 3/1 There is no reality in the holy obedient serving of God.
1955 R. F. Jenney Bible Primer 87 Ezekiel is a priest, prophet and statesman who believes that a stable, unified and righteous community depends upon the personal shouldering of responsibility and the loyal serving of God by every member of the redeemed remnant.
2005 C. Smith & M. L. Denton Soul Searching iv. 154 Holy and almighty God..calls all to a turning from self and a serving of God in gratitude, humility, and righteousness.
2.
a. The action of serving, performing service for, assisting, or meeting the needs or acting in the interests of, a person, group, organization, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > [noun] > action of serving
ministrationc1384
ministryc1384
servingc1400
tendinga1616
administration1676
ministering1828
c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 108 Seintes techen eiȝte tokenes to knowe bi where a man be meke... Þe fifþe, ȝif he be furst in werk among his peris and last in ordre; furst in traueile and last in reste; furst in seruinge and last in sittinge.
1564 T. Becon New Catech. in Wks. i. f. cccccxxiii Suche simme shakebucklers, as in theyr yong yeares fal vnto seruing and in theyr olde yeares fall vnto beggery.
1642 Remonstr. Lords & Comm. in Parl. 26 May 20 That therefore which is the principle Verbe in this Statute, is the serving of the King for the time being.
1778 F. Burney Evelina II. ix. 66 I..did every thing in the world, and was used worser than a dog, and all for the sake of serving of him.
1807 J. Sedgwick Sketches Pitt & Fox Never did a Statesman exist, who, with such distinguished Talents, contributed so little to the serving of his Country, his Friends, or Himself.
1918 Rod & Gun Aug. 268/1 The serving of a master became ingrown in the dog and the worshipful obedience that the modern dog yields us is proof of a steadfast trait.
1936 E. Eberle Macklin of Nanking iv. 117 Lao Lin..became the night nurse for patients ill with famine fever, cholera, and other deadly diseases. After years of devoted serving he finally fell a victim to cholera.
b. The action or process of attending to the needs of customers in a shop, hotel, etc., esp. the task of supplying a customer with an item or service he or she requires, taking payment, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > [noun] > shopkeeping or shopwork
serving1615
shopkeeping1617
shop work1696
1615 T. Heywood Foure Prentises i. i. sig. B2 I had much ado to get leaue of my Maister to be spared from my attendance in the Shop, and seruing of Customers.
1789 Trial Phœnix Assurance Co. & Mr. James Brown 52 I was employed as manager of his business, to receive orders, and send out goods; and she in serving in the shop.
1825 Gagliani's Messenger 25 Aug. From any thing that the shops appear to have to do after that hour [sc. eight o'clock], so far as the serving of customers is concerned, they might be closed at a much earlier hour.
1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers II. iii. 51 While Hester and me is left i' t' shop for t' bear the brunt of the serving.
1896 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 843/1 The serving of the shop..is infinitely elevating and delightful.
1999 H. Catt Democracy in Pract. iii. 43 [In a wholefood shop run by a workers' co-operative] Jobs such as advertising, routine administration, stocktaking, and serving in the shop are rotated between the members.
3. † c. Scottish. Perhaps: a quantity of something supplied or allowed to a person at one time. Obsolete. rare.In quot. 1672 apparently with reference to an allowance of grain at cost price provided by a lord to tenants who had paid their dues in good time. The quot. could alternatively be taken as showing sense 3b(a).
a. The action or process of presenting a person (also sometimes an animal) with food or drink; the action or process of setting out portions of food or drink for consumption; the manner in which this is done. Cf. serving-up n. at Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [noun]
servingc1425
sewinga1483
the service of the table1588
ushering1598
dishing1679
helping1824
waiterage1849
waitering1862
c1425 (?a1400) Arthur (Longleat 55) l. 52 (MED) He let make þe Rounde table..And alle hadde oo seruyse, For no pryde scholde aryse For any degree of syttynge Oþer for any seruynge.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Riiiiv As stacions, inclinacions, gestures, turnynges, wysshyng, seruyng at meate and in other places..and suche other.
1606 N. Baxter Sir Philip Sydneys Ouránia sig. K Vnpreaching Ministers been dumbe dogs, Fitter for plough and seruing of hogs.
1793 Ambulator (ed. 6) 263 At the opposite end, is a bar for the serving of tea and coffee.
1857 J. H. Walsh Man. Domest. Econ. 240 The Serving at Dinner commences by taking in the first course, after which dinner is announced.
1937 Hotel & Catering Managem. Sept. 23/1 Smoke-room or lounge bars are obviously larger than cocktail bars, and provision has to be made for the serving of draught beers.
2015 B. Phinney Sheltered by Warrior viii. 93 Stephen burned with curiosity all through grace and the serving of the meal.
b.
(a) A portion or helping of food (or less frequently, drink) given or provided to one person or animal at one time; an amount (of a particular foodstuff, dish, etc.) for or suitable for one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > portion of food > portion served
sanda700
messc1300
servicec1330
help1809
round1839
serving1864
serve1868
helping1883
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 303 Last of all giue him [sc. a horse] his allowance of prouender for Supper, with a bottle or two of hay, which ought to be more plentiful than the former seruings.
1742 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandman June xvi. 180 Some of us give a Hog first a Serving of Meat in it.
1753 J. Lind Treat. Scurvy ii. i. 154 I think no person can ascribe alteration of the sick-list..to five servings or messes of broth.
1864 Mrs. H. Wood Trevlyn Hold xxix Nora immediately drew an apple-pie before her, and began to cut unlimited servings from it.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. at Sarving Gie the fat pigs a good sarvin' the las' thing—the nights ben lung.
1888 Birmingham Daily Post 26 Dec. 5/6 A wonderful unanimity existed among them in passing up their plates for a second serving of meat and potatoes.
1919 M. J. Rosenau All about Milk 4 One ordinary glass of milk is about equal in fuel value to..1 large serving of lean meat.
1986 Working Mother Oct. 141 (advt.) A single eight-ounce serving of plain low-fat yoghurt will give you over half of your daily calcium allowance.
2008 A. Verdadero in E. B. Maranan & L. S. Maranan-Goldstein Taste of Home 252/2 Nang Tine, my elder sister, had taken advantage of the unlimited servings of rice.
(b) An amount or portion of something.
ΚΠ
1893 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Oct. 7/2 Here she was to offer these Jewish working men and jewelled women a more generous serving of her wonderful imitations than the audience at the Gaiety had been obliged to content themselves with.
1937 Composers' Forum-laboratory Meeting 14 Jan. (U.S. Works Progress Admin. Federal Music Project) (typescript) 3 No question—just thanks for such a generous serving of lovely, natural self-expression by a composer who seems to love to be alive.
1960 Sports Illustr. 28 Nov. e7/1 Talamo's psychological treatment includes a hefty serving of sentiment. ‘I'm a tearjerker from way back,’ he admits.
2005 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 24 Sept. 109 Someone edgy and dark, someone with a touch of mystery and a huge serving of charisma.
ΚΠ
1672 in D. G. Barron Court Bk. Urie (1892) 192 [He] had promised to have helped them who soe peyit in their bollis with victuall in sarins at the merchantis pryce.
d. Scottish. With possessive pronoun. As much as will satisfy a person; as much as one wants or can bear of something; one's fill. Chiefly (and in earliest use) figurative. Now somewhat rare.
ΚΠ
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess i. 10 You cou'd na look your sairing at her face, It was so cheary an' so fu' of grace.
1820 A. Sutherland St. Kathleen IV. ii. 40 I hae had my sairin' o' sic cattle, an' though there wisna anither 'oman in the wide warld, deil tak' me gin I wid hae ane o' ye'r leddies.
1862 Shetland Advertiser 6 Jan. [In the text of a letter alleged to have been written in 1815.] Dee slokkin o' tae, an dy sairin o' butter an bread.
1897 W. Seath Rhymes & Lyrics 131 The mither hands aroond the toast, And bids them eat their sairin'.
1911 Cairngorm Club Jrnl. 6 321 For me the Larig [sc. a mountain pass] has no attractions: I have had my ‘sairin'’ of it—been roasted in it and drenched in it, and compelled to be out a night in it.
2014 Aberdeen Press & Jrnl. (Nexis) 22 Nov. 48 Weel, we hae hin oor sairin o fitba es last wikk or twa.
4. Scots Law.
a. The procedure by which (in response to a writ or brieve) an assize of inquest is summoned and sworn to investigate a legal claim, and the subsequent investigation of the claim and delivery of a verdict by the assize. Now historical.
ΚΠ
1463 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) A1463/10/1 I beseke youre henes that..ye wil dedenye to mak me have sic couresabill brevis of youre chapell as afferis tueching the said landis and that ye mak na geris mak na stoping to me in the serving of thame.
1537 in J. Robertson Illustr. Topogr. & Antiq. Aberdeen & Banff (1847) II. 66 Ane justice court haldin..for the serveing of ane breve of perambulacioun rasit at the instans of [etc.].
1597 J. Skene De Verborum Significatione at Breve de morte antecessoris Or before judges delegat be commission..for the serving of the said brieve.
1707 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) 1706/10/378 With all liberties and priviledges, of ane free regality with free chappell and chancellary for directing and serving of breives.
1811 R. Bell Syst. Forms of Deeds used in Scotl. (ed. 3) V. 538 The laws and acts of Parliament made anent serving of brieves.
2009 A. M. Godfrey Civil Justice in Renaissance Scotl. v. 213 They suspended a commission..which was to have led to the serving of a brieve of succession in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, albeit in relation to lands situated in Lanark.
b. The procedure for transmitting heritable property to an heir. Cf. service n.1 39b. Now historical.
ΚΠ
1496 in G. Neilson & H. Paton Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1918) II. 25 The saidis Wilȝeam and Wilȝeam producit the copy of ane retoure of the serving of the sade Hector.
1566–7 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd Rec. Inverness (1911) I. 137 In default of persoit of his rycht vpon the serwing and pronunsing of the serwing desyrit act of curt..and..desyrit ane of the baillies..to gif him sasing in the saidis tuay particattis of land conforme to his serwing.
1686 G. Mackenzie Observ. Acts Parl. 75 Brieves of mort-ancestrie (which are now call'd Brieves for Serving of Heirs).
1833 T. Stephen Bk. Constit. Great Brit. 454 There is a considerable set of actions which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the court of sesson... 1. Causes preceeding on brieves issued forth of chancery, such as brieves for serving of heirs.., &c.
2002 M. H. B. Sanderson Kindly Place? Living in 16th-cent. Scotl. 26 There were the expenses incurred when the heir succeeded: double feu-duty, the cost of recognition and serving of the heir and obtaining new instruments of sasine.
5. Law. The formal delivery of a writ, summons, subpoena, etc., to its intended recipient.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > writ > serving of writ
liverya1325
service1426
serving1465
personal service1582
1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 313 As for the writtes of replevyn they were delyuerd openly be-for the juges to the scheryf, and also other writtes wech Jamys Gresham brought..Richard Calle spake wyth the high scheref for the servyng of hem.
1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Henry VIII c. 27 §29 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 932 The Shirief shall have..for the serving of euery Writ of Habere [faccias] seisinam, syx shillinges eight pence.
1633 T. Nash Quaternio 211 In the dayes of Queene Elizabeth, they were complained of againe for their taking of excessiue fees vpon the serving of Writs of Execution.
1735 M. Whiteway Let. 15 Nov. in J. Swift Lett. (1768) VI. cxvi. 78 It is true, there was a mistake of about a month between Col. Waller's account and Mr. Throp's in the serving of a subpœna.
1826 J. Malcolm Polit. Hist. India 1784–1823 II. xi. 293 The serving of the writ upon the town-major of Fort William.
1921 B. E. Lowe Internat. Protection Labor 153 Recourse might be had to the authorities of either State for the serving of summonses or letters of request.
1973 Alice (Texas) Echo-News 28 Sept. 1/4 Following the serving of summons on each commissioner, the court went into session.
2003 Phi Delta Kappan 84 478/1 During the weekend, the board arranged for the serving of subpoenas to the striking teachers.
6. The action of helping or furthering a person's interests or ends (esp. one's own), or of acting in accordance with a particular desire or inclination.
ΚΠ
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) l. 1529 May he his holl Empire Susten al only of his owne desyre, In serwyng of his wrechit appetit Of awerice and of his awn delyt?
1698 W. Cross Taghmical Art i. ii. 19 They are harmonious means in serving of this end.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 596 I abhorred the making the pulpit a stage for venting of passion, or for the serving of interests.
1841 Northern Star (Leeds) 20 Mar. 4/2 Mr. Walter has the matchless effrontery to use the virtues of the man whom he sought to destroy, for the serving of his own paltry party purposes.
1924 Searchlight on Congr. June & July 20/1 The serving of the interests of the private power trusts by throwing the weight of this..World Conference against the idea of public ownership.
2009 Jrnl. Business Ethics 86 298/1 Those running businesses accountable to them for the serving of their interests.
7. The action of supplying a place, person, or thing with something; the conveyance and delivery of goods, water, gas, electricity, etc., to somewhere, someone, or something. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1502 Aberdeen Council Reg. 14 Oct. (Aberdeen Reg. Online: ARO-8-0163-02) VIII. 163 in https://sar.abdn.ac.uk (accessed 9 Dec. 2020) It was statutit and ordanit be the aldirman and counsale that ale the baxtaris of this burghe baik tua penny breid' contening xxxiiij vnce and penny brede contening xvij vnce gude and cleyne stuff fresche and weilbakin Ande haue Redy sic Stuff to the furnising and seruing of the towne.
a1600 MS Rec. Aberdeen in J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (1825) Suppl. at Capbarre Serving of schippis with capbarres.
1608 Proclam. James I Reliefe & Sustentation Poorer People 12 Dec. (single sheet) The Kings Maiestie..did..lately cause certaine Orders to bee generally published..for the seruing of the Markets from time to time with conuenient quantities of Corne and Graine.
1650 Perfect Conveyancer ii. 69 Such..Engin or Engins, or other Water-works as shall happen to be erected, made and raised in or upon the premisses.., for conveyance and plentifull serving of water.
1797 Monthly Mag. 3 464 The small cylinder, which contains the serving valve.
1849 G. D. Dempsey Rudimentary Treat. Drainage Districts & Lands 21 The proper serving of water for agricultural purposes, similarly with that for domestic and manufacturing uses, requires both adequate supply and discharge.
1913 Jrnl. Electr., Power & Gas 23 Aug. 170/2 Modern practice in the serving of electricity, and the installation of lighting, power, and heating equipment, has become so standardized that there is little occasion for any difference to arise.
1951 Province of Alberta Petroleum & Nat. Gas Conservation Board 27 2440 The plan that Trans-Canada Pipe Lines has for the serving of gas to local distibution systems.
8. Originally Nautical, now also Electrical Engineering.
a. The action or practice of winding a length of cord around something, esp. a rope, in order to strengthen it or to protect it from water or friction. Later also: the action of binding an electrical cable in a protective or insulating layer of yarn, tape, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > protection against chafing of or by rope
plat1620
puddinga1625
servinga1625
service1662
rounding1672
parcelling1750
bolster1769
plait1799
Scotchman1832
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > [noun] > binding > binding round with cord or thread
whipping1540
servinga1625
a1625 H. Mainwaring Nomenclator Navalis (Harl. 2301) f. 59v The seruing of the Anchor with Roapes to saue the Clincke of the Cabill from galling against the Iron is called the Pudding of the Anchor.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Serving, winding anything round a rope, to prevent it from being rubbed. The materials used..are accordingly called service.
1862 Inst. Mech. Engineers: Proc. 217 [With reference to the manufacture of submarine telegraph cables.] The serving with hemp or jute yarns..is done by machines.
1922 Domest. Engin. 28 Jan. 503/2 It deals with the most common knots and has many illustrations on the splicing, seizing and serving of rope.
2006 M. N. Bandyopadhyay Electr. Power Syst. xvi. 290 Serving of cable is to provide a layer of fibrous material over armouring.
b. Yarn, cord, etc., wound around something, esp. a rope or cable, to protect or strengthen it; (as a count noun) a layer or length of such material.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > rope or cord > for specific use
whipcord1318
whip line1582
serving1794
page-cord1841
lanyard1862
tie-rope1886
plough-line1895
tie-string1897
fillis1900
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 187 The eyes of all the shrouds are..then served with spun-yarn..: each turn of the serving is laid close, and strained tight round, to prevent the water penetrating.
1858 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. 36 158 The core..was immediately covered with a serving of hemp prior to receiving the outer strands.
1922 Pop. Mech. Aug. 322/2 A little over half of the serving is wound on in the usual manner, the end of the thread being laid along the [fishing] rod, and the serving wrapped over it.
1952 U.S. Patent 2,583,025 4 At least one serving of a fibrous material wrapped in a taut helical manner about said inner insulating layer.
2000 R. F. Duncan Dorothy Elizabeth: Building Trad. Wooden Schooner viii. 84 The serving on one of my shrouds had worn out.
9. Christian Church (chiefly Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Church). The action or task of assisting a priest during a service or ceremony; spec. the preparation of an altar for the celebration of the Eucharist.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > person in minor orders > acolyte > [noun] > serving mass > action of
serving1686
1686 Man. Prayers & Other Christian Devotions 432 (heading) The Manner of Serving and Answering at Mass.
a1773 A. Butler Lives Saints (1780) V. 208 He..took great delight in prayer, visiting churches, serving at mass, and hearing sermons.
1830 W. Carleton Traits & Stories Irish Peasantry II. 23 I had joined, from mere frolic, a class of young fellows who were learning what is called the ‘Sarvin' of Mass’, and..I never forgot it.
1977 B. Jefferis Tall One xxi. 267 I thought it best to do most of the serving of the altar myself.
2003 M. S. Rose Priest 179 He still believes that serving is one of the best ways to encourage boys to consider the priesthood.
10. In a racket sport such as tennis or badminton, volleyball, or another game played over a net or against a wall: the action or process of hitting the ball or shuttlecock to start play for a point or rally. Cf. serve n.3 1a. Somewhat rare before 20th cent.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > [noun] > types of play or stroke
fault1599
back-hand1657
serving1688
let1819
return1832
ace1840
error1877
rally1879
knock-up1884
drop1900
kill1903
soft kill1910
angle shot1911
retrieve1913
length1924
put-away1932
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > squash rackets > [noun] > type of stroke
serving1688
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > real tennis > [noun] > types of play or stroke
chasec1440
loss1591
volley1596
bandy1598
back-racket1608
service1611
force1662
serve1688
serving1688
Renshaw smash1881
pass1888
railroad service1890
kicker1936
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > [noun] > types of play
serving1688
lobbing1889
net-play1899
net game1904
softball1914
tandem formation1967
moonballing1977
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > [noun] > types of stroke
service1611
serving1688
screw1865
cut1874
cutting service1874
boast1878
first serve1878
smash1882
twister1884
cross-shot1889
lob1890
ground stroke1895
lob ball1900
twist service1901
boasting1902
cross-volley1905
get1911
chop1913
forehander1922
kick serve1925
forehand1934
touch shot1936
dink1939
net shot1961
overhead1964
groundie1967
slice1969
moonball1975
moonballing1977
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. v. 265/1 If the Receiver miss two stroaks at his Serving, which is two Faults, it is a loss, which is 15.
1815 J. T. H. Des Carrières Chambaud's New Dict. Eng. & French (new ed.) II. at Fault (In tennis courts) to miss the penthouse in serving.
1910 J. H. Bancfort Games for Playground 415 In serving, the ball must be batted at least ten feet by the server before being touched by any other player on his side.
1966 Guide for Teaching Physical Educ. Grades 1–6 (S. Carolina State Dept. of Educ.) x. 257 Until [volleyball] players are good at serving, it is suggested that an area of 6 feet inside the court be marked for serving. After they master the skill of serving, require all serves to be made from behind the end line.
2017 Business Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 4 Nov. Her serving was impeccable, her hard and accurate ground strokes made life extremely difficult for her opponents, and her aggressive style and consistency were the keys to her success.
11. The action or fact of going through, performing, working out, an apprenticeship, period of service, a prison sentence, etc. Cf. serving-out n. at Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
1766 J. Tucker Let. from Merchant in London 15 In some towns neither Freedom, nor Birth-right, nor the serving of an Apprenticeship, shall entitle a Man to give a Vote.
1870 Gaols: Rep. of Sheriff on Prison Establishments in U.K. 3 in Votes & Proc. Legislative Assembly New South Wales 1870–71 (1871) II. 565 The Winchester Gaol, as others of its class, is for the serving of sentences not exceeding two years.
1973 Variety 28 Feb. 69/1 The serving of time behind bars by newsmen after defying orders to testify before grand juries.
2015 Cape Argus (Nexis) 9 June (E1 ed.) (Sports section) 28 The Gambians have reportedly formed a new team under young Swiss coach Raoul Savoy following the serving of a two-year ban from the game for age-cheating.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > mineral material > ore > [noun] > quantity of
serving1778
parcel1824
shift1839
panel1858
1778 W. Pryce Mineralogia Cornubiensis 225 Upon the top of the arch or back of the calciner, is made a square hollow place called a Vate or Dry, sufficient to contain a serving or hand barrow full of Tin.
1880 D. C. Davies Treat. Metallif. Minerals & Mining 420. Serving, a supply of tin ready for smelting.
13. The action or fact of putting a female domesticated animal together with a male so that mating may take place; the action or fact of a male domestic animal copulating with a female in this way.Apparently recorded earliest as a modifier, in serving season.
ΚΠ
1816 Caledonian Mercury 22 Jan. (advt.) The premiums will be paid to the owners of the winning horses at the end of the serving season.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 478 There are still other considerations connected with the serving of cows which deserve your attention. The usual practice, in places where there is no bull, [etc.].
1932 J. L. Edmonds Producing Farm Livestock xvi. 302 For serving by the stallion, the mare should have the nose-twitch applied and be hobbled.
2020 @muirtwit 23 Apr. in twitter.com (accessed 17 Oct.) Weighed..the heifers for serving tomorrow!!..Average weight of all heifers 323kgs #happydays #breeding2020.
Phrases
in the serving of: with the help provided by.In quot. a1616 with reference to the use of clothing as a disguise.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > means of concealment > [noun] > disguised condition
disguisea1400
shape1597
disguisedness1615
in the serving ofa1616
dissimulation1671
incog1813
incognito1822
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. iv. 171 I haue already fit..Doublet, Hat, Hose, all That answer to them: Would you in their seruing,..'fore Noble Lucius Present your selfe. View more context for this quotation
Compounds
C1. As a modifier, in sense 3a.
a. Designating items used for serving food and drink, as serving cloth, serving fork, serving plate, serving tray, etc.Some of the more established compounds of this type are treated separately; see Compounds 1b.
ΚΠ
1447 in B. Marsh Rec. Worshipful Company Carpenters (1914) II. 14 (MED) Item, for j tabyllcloth, ij towellys, ij Sowrwyngclothys, viij s. ix d.
1661 W. Rabisha Whole Body Cookery 248 On Easter-day, and so forth to Penticost, after the serving Table, there must be set bread, trenchers and spoons, after the estimation of them that sit there.
1710 Dublin Intelligence 11 Nov. Pewter, made into the following Particulars;..Salvers, Shaving-Basons, Serving-Plates [etc.].
1872 Prairie Farmer (Chicago) 19 Oct. 332/3 The contents may be turned out on a serving dish.
1876 E. S. Holt Imogen ii. 48 Edric stuck the great serving-fork rather doubtfully into one of the white balls, and drew it forth.
1885 Mrs. H. Cronkite Mrs. Cronkite's Cook Bk. 15 The usual requisites for a good carver, are, a high chair, suitable serving plates, two sharp knives, a good fork, and a knife and fork rest.
1915 C. C. Greer Text-bk. Cooking ii. iv. 344 A large serving tray is a great convenience in setting and clearing the table.
1916 Country Life in Amer. Dec. 108/2 For the hostess who takes pride in the appointments of the midnight supper there is a dainty cheese-board and serving knife of sterling silver.
1967 Times 11 Jan. 13/4 Lift the cooked pieces of hare into a hot clean serving platter... Serve with red cabbage.
1994 C. T. Peters Choices 112/1 Combine first 4 ingredients in a serving pitcher just before serving; stir until well blended.
2004 Food & Trav. May 116/3 Drain with a slotted spoon and place in warmed serving bowls.
2013 Sunday Times (Nexis) 24 Nov. (Style section) 90 The lady..went for the shredded cheese and chose to bypass the serving tongs and use her fingers.
b.
serving cart n. U.S. a small trolley from which food and drink may be served; cf. hostess trolley n. at hostess n. Compounds 1.
ΚΠ
1913 Renwick (Iowa) Times 13 Nov. The woman who does her own housework..positively must have a serving cart.
1960 Hutchinson (Kansas) News 24 Nov. (Gift Guide section) 8/1 (advt.) This handy serving cart features washable plastic woodgrain shelves, 16″×27″. Free wheeling rubber casters. Folds when not in use.
2003 CIO 15 Feb. 84/1 Most airline passengers..don't give much thought to the serving carts that flight attendants use to distribute soft drinks and meals.
serving hatch n. a hatch or opening in the wall of a kitchen, pantry, dining room, etc., through which prepared food may be passed to or from an adjoining room.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > [noun] > utensils for serving > serving-hatch
buttery hatcha1566
slidec1608
kitchen hatch1734
serving hatch1879
pass-through1958
servery1960
1879 Morning Post 15 Apr. 5/5 It is connected with the kitchen by serving hatches.
1881 R. W. Edis Decoration & Furnit. 114 Serving hatches.
1904 F. A. Gasquet Eng. Monastic Life ii. 23 A screen pierced with doors would probably have somewhat veiled the serving-hatch, the dresser, and the passages to the butteries, cellars, and pantry.
2017 Northern Territory News (Austral.) (Nexis) 29 July 19 The modern kitchen has a..serving hatch looking out to one of two large living dining areas.
serving spoon n. a large spoon (larger than a soup spoon or dessertspoon) used to serve food; (also) the amount such a spoon holds; cf. tablespoon n.
ΚΠ
1849 Times 23 Jan. 6/6 The date of the mark on the serving spoon is 1774.
1922 Nation's Health (Chicago) Jan. 53/3 1 serving spoon of baked meat..1 cup of creamed potatoes.
2014 D. Kastner Her Valentine Sheriff vi. 115 ‘I was setting the table,’ Eli offered, opening the silverware drawer and reaching for some serving spoons.
serving suggestion n. originally U.S. a tip or suggested method for serving or preparing a particular meal or foodstuff.Frequently used on packaging or in advertisements for foodstuffs, now esp. as a caption accompanying an image of the product as part of a cooked and/or garnished dish, in order to indicate that the illustration does not represent the product as supplied.
ΚΠ
1915 C. P. Webber Sentinel Bk. Automatic Cooking i. 65 Serving Suggestions. Prepare hard sauce and nuts beforehand.
1956 Times 11 Aug. 1/6 (advt.) The new issue of our Food Shopping Guide gives you useful hints and serving suggestions on a variety of summer meals.
1971 Washington Post 18 Nov. d12/2 (caption in advt. for ground beef) [Image of cooked beef patty on a spatula] Serving suggestion.
2004 A. F. Smith Oxf. Encycl. Food & Drink in Amer. II. 492/2 This serving suggestion [sc. an image of a quarter-pound slice of Spam grilled and served on a hamburger bun] was designed to position Spam as an alternative to fast food hamburgers.
serving ware n. utensils, dishes, plates, etc., used to serve food and drink; = serveware n.
ΚΠ
1904 Hotel Monthly (Chicago) Jan. 1 (advt.) A complete line of kitchen and serving ware made of finest steel upon which are rolled two layers of pure nickel.
1985 Better Homes & Gardens July 100/1 (caption) Plastic servingware. Plastic won't weigh you down when you carry food to the backyard. Salad sets, appetizer tray, and serving tray with cups.
2015 Sunday Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 6 Sept. m10 Melbourne brand Milk and Sugar is focused on simple, well-priced tableware, serving ware, plus linen and small furniture items.
C2. With adverbs, forming nouns of action corresponding to phrasal verbs at serve v.1 (in various senses of the phrasal verbs).
serving-in n. now rare and historical
ΚΠ
1565 J. Rastell Replie Def. Truth vi. f. 109 You be not so voyde of naturall sense, but that you vnderstand, the matter and forme of a good dyshe of meate, and the seruing in of the same meate, to be sundrye thinges and different?
1643 M. Newcomen Craft Churches Adversaries 36 A Jesuite of Mentz..hath drawne a plot for the cheating of a people of the true Religion by sleight of hand and the serving in of Popery againe upon them by art of legerdemaine.
1741 Articles & Instr. Govt. of Hosp. Seamen Greenwich (ed. 2) 45 The Clerk of the Cheque..is to be present at the serving in of all Goods, Provisions, or Stores of any kind.
1867 Chambers's Jrnl. 26 Oct. 677/1 These doors [sc. of prison cells]..could be double-locked, in fact always were, as a rule, but not generally before the serving-in of the meals.
1991 C. A. Wilson in C. A. Wilson et al. Appetite & Eye v. 106 The order in which dishes were carried to the room and laid upon the table was clearly worked out at this period, as is clear from Gervase Markham's detailed instructions for the serving in of a feast.
serving-out n. now rare
ΚΠ
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus (i. 12) 257 Our forefathers, whose dishes for sort, number, price, and seruing out, were inferiour to our sauces,..were stronger, of more constant health, and of longer life, then we are.
1764 W. Bull Let. 18 Dec. in Proc. Comm. relieving Poor Germans (1765) (App. to List of Subscribers) p. vii Distribute their Provision weekly, because if served for a longer period, it might make them liable..to want, before the next serving out; such people being too apt to be improvident.
1873 Deb. Convent. Constit. Pennsylvania II. 382/1 Pardons were granted in great numbers, in many instances the day before the sentence would expire, in order that the political disabilities, which attached to the serving out of the full sentence, might be removed.
1902 School Jrnl. 6 Sept. 187/1 Pocket money must be deposited with the management and its serving out made a part of the school discipline.
1973 Fiscal Year 1974 Peace Corps Authorization: Hearing before Comm. Foreign Rel. U.S. Senate 93rd Congr., 1st Session 57 The President..made it clear that the paying of that penalty [sc. for someone who violated the law]..would not be the serving out of a period of time in the Peace Corps.
serving-up n.
ΚΠ
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 1796/2 And, after thys, at the seruing vp of the Wafers, the Lorde Maior of London went to the Cupboord, and filling a cup of golde with Ipocrasse, bare it to the Queene.
1634 J. Barton Art of Rhetorick To Reader sig. A3 Together with the cooking, that is, the dressing and serving up of an oration.., an Oratour must have matter and method..; puritie of construction..; or he cannot be perfect.
1750 E. Haywood in Ep. for Ladies II. xccvii. 279 Do not let your Appetite wander towards Ragouts, Fricassees, Crawfish Soop, Pitty-Patees, Troufles, Morelles, and those autre quelque chose, in the serving up of which your Cook so much excells.
1815 J. Scott Visit to Paris ix. 159 Here [i.e. at restaurants] both the supply and the serving-up are of the most elegant description.
1934 Agric. Hist. 8 119 It is, in truth, the serving up of contemporary propaganda as history.
2016 View from Weymouth 1 June 19/1 Campaigning has followed its usual format..namely telephone calls, doorstep visits or leaflet deliveries designed to coincide with the serving up of people's meals.
C3. As a modifier, in sense 8a.
serving board n. Nautical (now rare) a small flat board with a handle at one end and a notch at the other, used to wind a length of twine around a rope tightly in order to reinforce it and protect it from getting wet; cf. serving mallet n.
ΚΠ
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 160 Serving board is a tapering thin piece of board, with a small score gouged at the end and sides. It is used for serving small ropes.
1914 Coast Seamen's Jrnl. 18 Nov. 7/1 This bag served as a receptacle for his ‘nautical instruments’—i.e. marline spike, fid, pricker, small serving board, palms,..and roping needles.
2001 D. Bennet Schooner Sunset v. 58/2 The small canvas bag in which the sailor kept his fid, marline-spike, serving board, palm, needles and wax, together with his kit bag.
serving mallet n. Nautical (now rare) a tool resembling a mallet with a groove cut along the length of its head, used to wind a length of twine around a rope tightly in order to reinforce it and protect it from getting wet (cf. service n.1 41); †(occasionally also) an old fashioned and unsophisticated vessel (obsolete).The twine is applied by placing the groove against the rope, running the twine over both the rope and the head of the mallet, and then turning the mallet around the rope.
ΚΠ
1701 J. Love Mariner's Jewel 58 (table) Serving Mallets.
1898 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ xxviii. 371 Magnificent clipper ships..who seemed to turn up their splendid noses at the squat, dumpy, antiquated old serving-mallet that dared to mingle with so august a crowd.
1998 B. Toss Compl. Rigger's Apprentice i. 8/1 Service is properly applied..over a bed of twine ‘worming’ and tarred canvas ‘parceling’, usually with a specialized tensioning device called a serving mallet.
C4. As a modifier, in sense 7.
serving main n. rare a pipe or duct which supplies a device with water.
ΚΠ
1813 ‘T. Martin’ Circle Mech. Arts 495/2 The Forcing-pump consists of a working-barrel, a suction-pipe and serving-main, or raising-pipe.
1973 Decisions Public Utilities Comm. Calif. 75 87 The staff recommended a change in the tariff for public fire hydrant service, relating the tariff to the size of the serving main.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
servingadj.
/ˈsəːvɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈsərvɪŋ/ 1. That serves; that performs a service for, or meets the needs of another person, group, etc.; spec. that is employed as a servant. Now chiefly: that is employed to serve food or drink.See also serving maid n., serving-man n., serving-woman n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > [adjective] > serving or performing a service
servingc1384
ministrant1558
inservient1646
officiala1682
ministering1764
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > [adjective] > that acts as servant
servingc1384
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. i. 14 Seruyng spiritis [L. administratorii spiritus], sent into mynysterie for hem that [etc.].
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 229 (MED) Many..haue ben beten..and put downe from the worship of knyghthode in the degre of seruing footmen.
1592 Arden of Feversham iv. i. 67 To keepe her from the Painter. Cla. Why more from a Painter then from a seruing creature like your selfe?
1610 in T. Pont's Topogr. Acc. Cunningham (Maitland Club) 185 To Johne Birsbane, his serveing gentilman, of fie the said zeir, threttie thrie pund vj s. viij d.
1688 T. Durfey in Roxburghe Ballads (1891) VII. 364 If I were but her Serving-Loon, I'd never ask for wages.
1788 M. A. Meilan Friend of Youth V. 26 You are nothing but a serving lad.
1851 F. Palgrave Hist. Normandy & Eng. I. 267 The wanton serving wench.
1914 G. W. Read Médoc in Moor i. 18 A comely, sturdy serving lass was sweeping the hearth.
2015 Holland Herald (KLM) Nov. 48/2 The hipster serving staff will bring you incredible food and wines.
2. In religious contexts: that officiates in worship in a particular place, or at a given time, in a given ceremony, etc. In early use esp. (Christian Church): †designating a priest who discharges religious functions at a church, chapel, etc., but who does not hold a benefice or perform parochial duties (obsolete, except as merged with sense 4b).In spec. use perhaps coloured by sense 1.
ΚΠ
?1532 C. St. German Treat. Diuision Spirytualtie & Temporaltie vi. f. 16 As it is in this case of chapleynes, and seruyng prestes, so it is also of chantry prestes & brotherhoode prestes in many places.
1653 R. Samwayes England's Faithfull Reprover & Monitour 208 A free will offering of that value, which heretofore would have been accounted a liberall stipend for a serving Curate, and doth now passe for a tolerable salary in Gentlemens houses for a Domestick Chaplain.
1739 F. Blomefield Ess. Topogr. Hist. Norfolk I. 642 The Vicar and serving Priests, grew exceeding Rich, so that in 1309, they rebuilt the Chancel, and adorned the Church and Chapel, in the most handsome manner.
1804 J. Wood Dict. Holy Bible II. 512/1 This [sc. the porch of the Temple] served as a steeple to adorn it, and was a place of shelter and of prayer to the serving priests.
1825 Jrnl. House of Lords 29 Mar. 57 501/1 In the City of Dublin.., there are some that are called Chaplains, or Serving Priests, and who are not engaged on Parochial Duties, such as Marriages, Christenings, and official Attendances on the Sick.
1940 G. Greene Power & Glory (1963) iii. 272 A priest passed to and fro before the altar saying Mass... Someone out of sight rang the sanctus bell, and the serving priest knelt before he raised the Host.
2010 R. Dass Be Love Now 270 The serving priest, having locked the doors of the shrine after morning worship, was coming down [the steps].
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [adjective] > auxiliary or subsidiary
subsidiary1543
contributary1567
serving1567
auxiliar1583
contributory1594
auxiliatory1599
auxiliary1605
subministering1606
subserving1621
auxilianta1631
inservient1646
adminiculary1653
adminicular1660
accessorial1726
secondary1751
tributary1764
contributive1793
1567 W. Allen Treat. Def. Priesthod i. ix. 176 Not by distincte operation of the principal, and the seruing and secondarie causes, but in one worcke and vndiuided operation of them both.
1601 R. Johnson Essaies v. sig. C4 Although Learning haue a priuate and pleasing end in it self.., yet it is but a seruing qualitie, preparing the minde to a nobler end of well doing.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxiii. 207 Euery one of them [sc. a multitude of seuerall engines, to performe sundry different operations in a mint], which considered by it selfe might seeme a distinct complete engine, is but a seruing part of the whole.
4.
a. Of a soldier, sailor, or (later) airman or airwoman: that is participating in military action or operations; that is a full-time member of the armed forces. Cf. serve v.1 8b.Quot. 1569 appears to be an isolated early use.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military service > [adjective] > serving as soldier
serving1569
in service1591
militarya1616
1569 J. Saparton Alarum (single sheet) Al Mars his men drawe neere, that warlike feates embrace, Sit downe a while, & harken heere, a seruinge Souldiers case.
1812 J. Sanderson Appeal to Imperial Parl. Colony of Trinidad 29 These [sc. the alguazils] were the serving officers of the alcaldes de barrios.
1821 Statutes U.K. 1 & 2 Geo. IV. 107 (marginal note) Petty Officers and Seamen, &c. may obtain payment of their Wages by Remittance Bills, whether serving or paid off.
1834 Royal Cornwall Gaz. 2 Aug. It is to be hoped something will be done to secure to the serving class of officers a recompense for their labours, by establishing rules to the..effect..that a specified number of years' actual service shall be considered as meriting a certain rank.
1939 Hansard Commons 1 Nov. 1907 So far as I am aware, all serving officers at home and overseas have been credited with their pay for the month of September.
1970 Times 19 Jan. 3/7 Nigeria has over 100,000 serving soldiers to rehabilitate.
2006 M. S. Seligmann Spies in Uniform i. 30 Serving officers from the army and navy were dispatched overseas.
b. In more general use: that is carrying out or fulfilling the duties of a specified position, role, or office.Quot. 1823 probably refers specifically to members of a society serving on its committee or in other offices.
ΚΠ
1823 Rules & Orders Friendly Soc., Haltwhistle 8 If any Member die before he has been three years in this Society, every serving Member shall contribute one shilling towards his funeral.
1877 F. Jeppe Transvaal Bk., Almanac, & Directory (1976) 38 The Church is ruled by a general Church Meeting consisting of the clergy, the half of the serving Churchwardens..and two Deacons..from each congregation.
1922 Oroville (Washington) Weekly Gaz. 1 Dec. 4/3 Councilmen Meek, Gay and Friis are the serving councilmen whose time expires on the first of the year.
1998 Cosmopolitan (U.K. ed.) Aug. 46/2 A serving detective..explains: ‘Attitudes have..changed in the past few years—we're much more open minded now.’
2001 London Rev. Bks. 22 Feb. 28/4 Lord Sainsbury of Turville..has achieved the all-time record for a serving minister donating private money to the party which made him a minister.
5. Law. That formally delivers a legal document such as a summons, writ, or subpoena; that is employed as a process server, court bailiff, etc. Cf. serve v.1 49c.Chiefly in serving officer.
ΚΠ
1820 Times 12 Feb. The Court would be pleased to grant an attachment against the persons who had so forcibly imprisoned the serving officer.
1833 Copy Rep. Lieutenant-governor New-Brunswick into Judicial Inst. App. p. xxv/1 [Return of a process or summons] may be proved by Affadavit without requiring the personal attendance of the Serving Officer at the Justice's.
1960 Stanford Law Rev. Mar. 427 Increase the efficiency of warrant service, either by reimbursing the serving agency for its expenses or creating a state agency for the purpose of serving the warrants.
2009 Sunday Tribune (South Africa) (Nexis) 22 Mar. 13 [She] was sent for psychiatric evaluation after she tore up a court protection order in front of the serving officer.
6. Christian Church (now chiefly Roman Catholic Church). That accompanies and assists a priest during a service or ceremony; that acts as server (server n. 7), esp. at the Eucharist. Cf. serve v.1 13.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > person in minor orders > acolyte > [adjective] > assisting at mass
serving1848
1848 Tablet 7 Oct. 643/4 The case of Sacristans is not parallel, both because Sacristans are necessary and because they take no part in the ceremonies; nor again, the case of serving-boys, for the first of these reasons, and again because they cannot commit the Church by their acts in the same way with grown-up men.
1892 Biogr. & Hist. Mem. Louisiana II. vi. 126 During the singing of the first psalm, the unsuspecting French were startled by a volley fired into them from behind, and..they beheld the priest and one of the serving men fall at the altar's feet.
1972 Times 19 Feb. 8/8 The man as heard by his parishioners, beloved terror of the inefficient serving boys.
2003 D. H. Barthle Acolyte Leader's Resource Guide iv. 23 The senior acolyte for a festival..will usually be involved..with rehearsing the serving acolytes in preparing for the service.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c1275
adj.c1384- goodbying
- goodbys
- goodcharacter
- goodclass
- goodconceited
- goodconditioned
- goodconduct
- goodconstitutioned
- gooddame
- gooddaughter
- gooddeed
- gooddefying
- gooddoing
- goodeating
- goodenhancing
- goodenough
- goodenough morgan
- goodenough mother
- goodess
- goodfaced
- goodfaith residence
- goodfather
- goodfellow
- goodfellow-like
- goodfellowhood