serve1 verbserve2 noun
serveserve1 /sɜːv $ sɜːrv/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 
WORD ORIGINserve1
Origin:
1100-1200 Old French servir, from Latin servire ‘to be a slave, serve’, from servus ‘slave, servant’, perhaps from EtruscanVERB TABLE
serve
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | serve |
| he, she, it | serves | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | served |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have served |
| he, she, it | has served | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had served |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will serve |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have served |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am serving |
| he, she, it | is serving | |
| you, we, they | are serving | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was serving |
| you, we, they | were serving | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been serving |
| he, she, it | has been serving | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been serving |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be serving |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been serving |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Andrew, will you serve coffee to the visitors?
- As soon as they sat down they were served with steaming bowls of soup.
- Both the brothers had criminal records and had served time for robbery.
- Dinner will be served at 8.30.
- Don't forget to serve the guests first.
- Estrada was serving a customer when the fire started.
- Fowler was released after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
- He served the community for over thirty years as a head teacher.
- Holt is currently serving five years for child abduction.
- It is illegal to serve alcoholic drinks to anyone under 18.
- Light refreshments will be served.
- Please fill out this questionnaire so that we may better serve you.
- Reagan was serving his second term as President at the time.
- School board members serve a two-year term.
- She met Schmidt while serving time in prison for drug possession.
- Smith has already served a ten-year sentence for armed robbery.
- The airline now serves 37 cities.
- The center was opened four months ago to serve the health needs of a low-income neighborhood.
- The chef serves important guests himself.
- The new bus route will serve the villages to the west of York.
- But David volunteered to serve with Total Tartary.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Nevertheless, by posing questions rather than serving up morals, he's caught some flak from simple-minded gay critics.
- On the other, persons who serve prison sentences need to be able to get a job and participate in society.
- Place a brioche heart or circle on top of each one, sift over the icing sugar, if using, and serve immediately.
- So what is the management serving the young hipsters who crowd this bar even on a weeknight?
- The nine-member panel of bishops serving as judges is expected to rule any day on the Righter case.
Longman Language Activatorto deserve something bad
if you think that someone deserves something bad that happens to them, you think it is fair that it happens because they have done something wrong or stupid: deserve to do something: · Anyone who drives like that deserves to lose their licence.deserve it (=deserve the bad things that happen): · "You really weren't very nice to her." "Well, she deserved it!"get what you deserve (=when something bad happens to you and you deserve it): · He was a bully, and in the end he got what he deserved.
spoken use this to say you think someone deserves something bad that happens to them because they have been unkind or done something stupid: serve sb right for: · "I feel terrible." "Serves you right for drinking so much last night."it serves somebody right: · It'd serve him right if Jo walked out on him.
especially spoken use this when you think someone deserves a punishment or bad experience, because it is a result of their own actions: · "Do you feel sorry for him?'' "No, he shouldn't have hit that guy -- he got what he deserved.''
spoken say this when something bad happens to someone and you think they deserve it because their behaviour made it very likely to happen: · Anyone who invites a complete stranger into their house is asking for it.
spoken use this to say you think someone deserves something bad that happens to them, and this is what you expected to happen: · I don't feel sorry for her at all. She had it coming.had it coming to you/her etc: · "Terry's very upset about his wife leaving him." "Well he's had it coming to him for years."
to finally get the punishment or something bad that you deserve because of the way you have behaved: · The evil Mr Grove gets his comeuppance at the end of the story.· She's callous and snobbish and it's time she got her comeuppance.
to finally get the punishment you deserve, especially after having avoided it for a long time: · Tobin finally got his just deserts, and was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment.· This is a movie in which everyone gets their just deserts in the end.
to give food to a person or animal to give food to someone, especially a baby, animal, or a lot of people: · My sister feeds the cats when we are away.· How often do you have to feed the baby?· They hardly earn enough to feed their children.· The catering service feeds over 600 employees every day.feed somebody/something on something: · The horses were fed on hay and grain.
British to give a lot of food to a person or animal in order to make them fat or because they are not eating enough: feed somebody up: · When I was young, my grandmother was always trying to feed me up with sweets and biscuits.feed up somebody: · We'll have to start feeding up the turkey for Thanksgiving soon.
to give someone food by putting it in front of them, especially at a restaurant or a formal meal: serve something: · Dinner will be served at eight o'clock.serve somebody: · The chef serves important guests himself.· We sat around for forty-five minutes, waiting to be served.serve somebody with something: · They served us with soup and bread.serve something to somebody: · Andrew, will you serve coffee to the visitors?
to put food onto plates for people to eat, especially at home: serve up something/serve something up: · At dinner, Mrs. Carothers served up poached salmon and filled our glasses with white wine.
to give something to everyone in a group to give something to all the people in a group: hand out/give out something: · The princess plans to hand out gifts at a children's hospital tomorrow.· Don't start the test until I've finished giving out the question papers.hand/give out something to somebody: · Outside the embassy, students were handing out leaflets to everyone who walked past.hand/give something out: · I need some volunteers to hand programs out tonight.
also pass round British if a group of people pass something around , one person takes it and gives it to the next person, who then gives it to the next person: pass around something: · They passed around a list, and we each had to sign our name.pass something around: · Don't keep all the chocolates to yourself - pass them around!
to give things out to a large number of people, especially in an organized way: · Aid agencies are calling for local volunteers to help them distribute food and medicine.distribute something to somebody: · The Red Cross has started distributing food and blankets to villages in the flood area.distribute something among somebody: · Medical supplies have been distributed among families affected by the epidemic.
to divide something into equal parts and give a part to each person: share out something: · As long as they share out the profits fairly, everyone will be happy.share something out: · Take these cookies and share them out.share out something among/between somebody: · We've got three pizzas to share out between five people.· More than $1.7 million has been shared out among victims of the disaster.
also hand round British to go from person to person offering or politely giving them something such as a drink, food, etc: hand around something: · Dorothy was handing around coffee and biscuits when we arrived.· I'm handing round a summary of last week's lecture.hand something around: · Would you mind helping me hand the crackers around, please?
to give food and drinks to people, for example at a restaurant or a party: · Dinner will be served at 8.30.· Don't forget to serve the guests first.serve something to somebody: · We don't serve alcohol to anyone under 21.serve somebody with something: · As soon as they sat down, they were served with steaming bowls of soup.
to give something, especially food or money, to people who are waiting to receive it: dish/dole out something: · They want me to dress up as Santa Claus, and dish out presents at the kids' Christmas party.· The federal government doles out $58 billion in student grants every year.dish/dole something out: · Jo, would you dish the ice cream out?dish/dole out something to somebody: · Air stewardesses were doling out meals to the passengers.
to be in prison as a punishment · Both her sons are now in jail.· The two Irishmen were in prison for five years before they were found to be innocent.
informal to be in prison - used especially by someone who has been in prison and is talking about their experience: · "When I was inside," said Jimmy. "I really learned how to look after myself."
informal to be in prison for a period of time as a punishment for a crime: · Sid's wife ran off with another man while he was doing time.do time for: · None of us knew that Greg had done time for stealing cars.
to spend a period of time in prison, especially the period that a judge has said you must spend there: serve 3 years/6 months etc (for something): · Holt is currently serving five years for child abduction.serve time (for something): · Both the brothers had criminal records and had served time for robbery.serve time in prison/jail: · She met Schmidt while serving time in prison for drug possession.serve a sentence: · Fowler was released after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
to provide a service for a particular group of people also cater to to provide services to a group of people, especially a group that has particular problems or particular needs: · The hostel caters for single people who are unable to find affordable accommodation.· The market now caters mainly to tourists.be well catered for: · Children are well catered for at the Hotel Paradiso.cater to somebody's every need: · Cabin staff will cater to your every need.
to provide a service for a very large group of people, especially those living in a particular area: · He served the community for over thirty years as a head teacher.· The new bus route will serve the villages to the west of York.serve the needs of somebody: · The center was opened four months ago to serve the health needs of a low-income neighborhood.
to provide a service for a particular group of people, especially one that they really need: · The nursing home provides for all the needs of the elderly.· Local authorities must provide for the education of all children with learning difficulties.
to sell something to give something to someone in exchange for money: · Tom's thinking of selling his motorcycle and buying a new one.· If you can, wait to sell until prices are high.· Postcards and souvenirs were being sold outside the cathedral.sell somebody something: · The company sold Braugh $100,000 worth of computers at discounted rates.sell something to somebody: · It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.· The painting was sold to an art gallery in Philadelphia.sell something for £250/$50 etc: · The antique buttons are very valuable, and we sell them for £100 and upwards.
to sell something, usually a group of things, at a reduced price in order to get rid of it quickly, because you need the money soon, or because it will not last a long time: sell something off: · The bakery usually sells its cakes off at half price just before closing time.sell off something: · After the funeral the house contents were sold off quickly to pay all his debts.· The school district may be forced to close schools and sell off land in order to make much-needed repairs.
if a country or a company exports its products, it sends them to another country in order to sell them: · Japanese televisions and hi-fi systems are exported all over the world.· Ancient artefacts cannot be exported.export something to France/the UK/Japan etc: · In 1986 they exported 210,000 cases of wine to the UK.
British to sell your house, your business, or other things you own in order to move to a different place or to do something different: · Why don't we sell up and move to Canada? Property is really cheap there!· My parents sold up the farm and went to live in Glasgow.
if someone who works in a shop or a bar serves a customer, they help them to buy or choose the goods that they want: · There was a line of people in front of me who were all waiting to be served.· Estrada was serving a customer when the fire started.· It is illegal to serve alcoholic drinks to anyone under 18.
to buy and sell a particular kind of goods as part of your business: · The gallery deals mostly in paintings but they do sometimes sell photographs.· Tax agents are visiting more than 5,000 businesses that deal in expensive items such as cars, boats, and jewels.
when something is sold: · The rebels are using money from the sale of drugs to buy weapons.· The law prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol on unlicensed premises.
British informal to sell something, especially something that is of low quality or that has something wrong with it: · There was a man at the market who was flogging watches for £10 each.flog somebody something: · Don't let him flog you his car -- he's had endless trouble with it.
to sell goods, usually things that are cheap, especially by going from place to place rather than selling them in a shop: · Street vendors peddled flowers and candles.· Belloni started her bakery business by peddling her homemade bread to local stores.
the activity of selling goods or shares in companies: · Trading started briskly on the New York Stock Exchange this morning.stop/cease trading: · The company ran out of money and was forced to cease trading.
to spend a period of time in a particular job or in prison · Reagan was serving his second term as President at the time.· Smith has already served a ten-year sentence for armed robbery.
informal to spend a long time doing a difficult job or doing something that you are forced to do: · As a young teacher she did two years in one of the city's toughest schools.do time: · I did my time in the army like everyone else.
used for a particular purpose: be used as · Three extra rooms were used as classrooms when necessary.· An old Chianti bottle can be used as an attractive base for a table-lamp.be used for · The tanks are used for storing chemicals.be used to do something · Hypnosis is sometimes used to help people give up smoking.
to be intended to be used for a particular purpose: · "What are these buttons for?" "They're for controlling the heating system."· The phones are for internal communication only.
to be used for a particular purpose, especially a different purpose from its original one: · The old hospital in London Road now serves as a hostel for the homeless.· They had no bathroom, so a hole in the ground served as a toilet.
if something doubles as something else, it is used for that purpose as well as for its original purpose: · The village post-office doubles as a store.· Lingerie that doubles as clothing was very fashionable at the time.
WORD SETSborstal, nouncell, nounchain, nounchain gang, nounconcentration camp, nounconcurrent, adjectiveconfinement, nounconvict, nouncorrectional, adjectivecustodial sentence, nouncustody, noundeath row, noundetainee, noundetention, noundetention centre, noundrunk tank, noundungeon, nounfetter, verbfetters, noungaol, gaoler, noungovernor, nounguard, verbgulag, nounhandcuff, verbhandcuffs, nounincarcerate, verbinmate, nouninside, adverbintern, verbinternee, nouninternment, nounjailbreak, nounlabour camp, nounlifer, nounmanacle, nounold lag, nounopen prison, nounoubliette, nounparole, nounparole, verbpen, nounpenal, adjectivepenitentiary, nounpillory, nounpokey, nounpolitical prisoner, nounporridge, nounpreventive detention, nounprison, nounprison camp, nounprisoner, nounprisoner of conscience, nounprisoner of war, nounprison visitor, nounreformatory, nounremand home, nounremission, nounserve, verbshackle, nounshackle, verbsolitary, nounsolitary confinement, nounstretch, nounthumbscrew, nounwarden, nounwarder, nounyardbird, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Breakfast is served until 9 am. Teacakes should be served hot with butter. There was only one girl serving customers. A large cardboard box will serve the purpose. Her talent for organization should serve her well. research projects that serve the needs of industry He returned to Greece to serve in the army. the women who served their country in the war Her death should serve as a warning to other young people. He served an 18-month sentence for theft. Did you know that Les is serving time (=is in prison)? Dillon’s almost served out his sentence (=in prison). The Senator’s illness means he may not serve out his term.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He’s serving an apprenticeship as a printer. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. Miller is serving a life sentence for murder. a long-serving member of the committee He had been accused of a drug offence but police had been unable to serve a summons on him (=officially order him to appear in court). The company has been served with a writ for damages.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Breakfast is served until 9 am. Teacakes should be served hot with butter. There was only one girl serving customers. A large cardboard box will serve the purpose. Her talent for organization should serve her well. research projects that serve the needs of industry He returned to Greece to serve in the army. the women who served their country in the war Her death should serve as a warning to other young people. He served an 18-month sentence for theft. Did you know that Les is serving time (=is in prison)? Dillon’s almost served out his sentence (=in prison). The Senator’s illness means he may not serve out his term. He’s serving an apprenticeship as a printer.· He had served in the Indian army.
· The document will serve as a basis for negotiations.
(=work as a judge or magistrate)
· She had served on the board of governors of the BBC.
(=for serving foods)· She put the strawberries in a glass serving bowl.
(=be a member of an important committee)· Our organization is always in need of volunteers to serve on the committee.
(=work for your country in an official way)· Remember those who are serving our country as soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
· Serve the apple tart warm with thick cream.
· Every day the shop serves around 800 customers.
(=start giving people food)· Dinner is served between 7 and 11 pm in the hotel restaurant.
Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. (=give food to someone, especially in a restaurant)· She served food and cleared tables all evening.
A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. (=spend time in jail)· He was finally released after serving 27 years in jail.
(=be a member of a jury)· At that time, black people were not allowed to serve on juries.
Miller is serving a life sentence for murder. a long-serving member of the committee· The bar serves snacks and meals.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
formal (=warn someone about something)· They have served notice that they intend to take legal action against the company.
(=be used in a particular way)· The building must have served a religious purpose.· Many old school buildings are no longer suitable for fulfilling their original purpose.
(=be a reminder)· The photograph will serve as a lovely reminder of your visit.
· The restaurant serves lunch from midday until two thirty.
(=spend time in prison)· Her husband is serving a two-year sentence for credit-card fraud.
He had been accused of a drug offence but police had been unable to serve a summons on him (=officially order him to appear in court).· She served a term as chairwoman of the council.
(=be useful)· Sending her to prison would serve no useful purpose.
The company has been served with a writ for damages.· This visit will also serve as an introduction to written records and their importance for history.· Others suggest that the buildup of mountains by tectonic movement may also serve as a trigger, by altering air currents.· They also serve light snacks throughout the afternoon.· It could also serve as a basis for planning a future meeting.· The variety of local provision highlighted above also serves to provide an interesting comment on how local authorities respond to national initiatives.· The lines manned by the infantry also served to protect the gunners and their lethal devices.· The differing interpretations of nationalism referred to above also served to drive the movements further apart.· Each teacher also serves as an adviser for a small group of teenagers from the time they enter the program until graduation.
· The different expectancies generated by these cues can then, it is supposed, themselves serve as cues.· Here coal could serve as alternative feedstock thus displacing oil and releasing natural gas for higher use.· He had two sons, both serving as reserve officers in the Royal Navy.· There are 12 dots around the perimeter and four on each side serving as infrared emitters.· The meetings are not meant to serve as glorified works councils, hammering out grand agreements on petty feuds.· Summaries in list form appear at the ends of chapters to serve as systematic reviews of major conclusions.· I know that negotiations do not only constitute a bargaining process, but also serve as fertile ground for creativity.· One of his great pleasures is serving as national treasurer of the National Audubon Society.
· No, they would not serve only a drink, she should recall that.· The propaganda served only to solidify opinion, not to change minds.· It will only serve to annoy the claimants' advisers and will not lead to a conducive climate for ultimate settlement.· I think it would only serve to reinforce my fears.· Many documents, especially from the nineteenth century, contain redundant words which only serve to confuse.· Again, this story may serve only as propaganda, or it may indicate an earlier culture in which women held power.· Calley, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, was eventually paroled after having served only three years.· This could only serve to make things worse.
· When cold, seal with clarified butter. Serve well chilled.· For programs affecting the health and safety of the entire population a single average value serves well.· Even business, so well served by Mr Mbeki's government, is becoming unnerved.· Reconstituted milk is most acceptable when served well chilled.· Both functions are well served in the present volume.· This particular map served well in Baja.· In Britain particularly, people don't like serving and don't serve well.· But I do wonder whether you would be well served by simply liquidating your two brokerage accounts.
NOUN· Here he will have to serve a form of apprenticeship before he is accepted or even noticed.· When he was older, Taylor did serve an apprenticeship and did work as a laborer and machinist.· It will also cut training needs at a time when people no longer want to serve long apprenticeships.· We served our apprenticeship in skinning, levelling, cutting and throwing.· I served an apprenticeship, worked hard and now I am in the wrong and it is not my fault.· Our 1910 sample did serve its apprenticeship in trade-union organization, and this episode provides the last chapter in the story.
· After serving in the army during the Napoleonic wars, Széchenyi turned to the management of his estates.· He served in the Army from 1975 to 1980.· Paul Alexandre, his loyal and sympathetic supporter, left Paris to serve in the army medical service.· Service, for 18 months, was compulsory for men over 19 who had not served in the Soviet army.
· Symmetry and group theory are introduced to serve as the basis of all molecular orbital treatments of molecules.· It could also serve as a basis for planning a future meeting.· These could then serve as the basis for further testing, allowing the best candidate for a true representation to emerge.· In many cases, Olympian designs serve as the basis for apparel that the average couch potato will be able to buy.· In this way, contracts can serve as a basis for individualised instruction.· Written policies and procedures or protocols can serve as a basis for identifying key process criteria.· Leadership provides organizational values which can serve as a basis for the development of mutual trust and commitment.· I am optimistic, therefore, that they can serve as the basis for an effective Mega long-term strategy.
· The hotel's restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and a substantial and well-prepared choice of meals at other times.· Lunch and tea are served aboard; breakfasts are at the hotels.· The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and dinner with a choice of menu.· But have her wake up to the smell of cooking bacon, then serve her breakfast in bed.· She slept, woke up at nine to find out her second mistake: that all hotels everywhere serve breakfast.· For dining, resort cafeterias often serve hearty, inexpensive breakfasts.· They have to serve a cooked breakfast here to meet some kind of official standard.· This trout recipe is served for breakfast at the inn but works well for a homey dinner.
· Should not that proviso apply to anybody serving on any committee?· To be successful, a former member must have served on an influential committee and acquired expertise on controversial issues.· I served on the Committee that dealt with the poll tax legislation.· He also served on numerous other committees and commissions.· In order to install the lopsided majorities, more Republicans have to serve on multiple committees.· He then served on committees to set up a republican government and abolish kingship and the House of Lords.· William Podolsky, an architect who serves on the neighborhood committee, has high praise for the process.
· Alice was for ever serving on community and social committees that investigated, planned, organized and gave functions.· Helping hand: A Cleveland club which serves the community is looking for groups to help.· Prosecutors originally were seeking a 10-month term, with five months to be served in a community center.· Azeem Nazie, 25, and Liaquat Ali, 23, were each ordered to serve 200 hours community service.· Of making a group of people who only knows how to serve the community, poorer?· The boats are there to serve Lappish communities, or rather they were there.· He's there to enforce the law as well as serve the local community.
· Doyle chuckled then left her to serve a customer.· A milkman who serves the same customers every day and who is usually known to them personally will clearly have sufficient contact.· E.. Modesto already serves a few customers in one of those cities, Riverbank.· To better serve your customers worldwide.· Randalls has 67 stores, which serve about a million customers each week.· Rashid and Shahid cooked up the idea while serving customers at the Sitar in Northgate, Darlington.
· Then the pudding was served, and dinner resumed, much to the relief of the children.· Cocktails were served at six-thirty; dinner followed at seven-thirty.· A continental breakfast, with cheeses and meats, is served and dinner is four courses and consists of good home cooking.· Eliza had just served dinner, and we just gaped.· Or if the tardy wife would just serve dinner on time, her husband would cease bloodying her nose.· Diet drinks and water are also unlimited ò Unlimited salad with fat-free dressing may be served with lunch and dinner.· Open from 11 a. m. until 1 a. m. daily, serving dinner until 10 p. m. Beer and wine.
· The Baldry Restaurant serves good food at a reasonable price and the Rowan Tree is good for vegetarian food.· On the following morning, I was awakened by the clanging of doors and the activity of inmates serving food.· Either way it leaves both hands free to turn or serve the food.· The average hospital serves food that is neither appetizing nor nutritious.· Some of the 70 children helped to serve the food prepared by the school cooks and sat and chatted with their guests.· I noticed that to our right there was a large balcony equipped with facilities for preparing and serving food.· But don't stop there - use your imagination and serve decorative food.· Another volunteer was Riccardo, thirty-five years old, whom I found helping to serve the food.
· However, as a lot of the controls serve two functions, some initial confusion can arise.· It passes through many of the abandoned towns that at one time served auxiliary functions to the mines of Tombstone.· The development of reliable text recognition procedures would serve two important functions.· Only a few items sold in private markets, such as automobile seat belts, serve the sole function of increasing safety.· The ozone molecules are very thinly spread within this area but their fragile existence nevertheless serves a vital function to life.· Such behavioral diversity serves the same function as genetic diversity, and indeed compensates for restrictions on genetic diversity.· This so-called parasitic genetic material turns out to serve a useful evolutionary function.
· There were plenty of others below it, but they merely served as points of interest on the way down.· You try to serve a public interest.· Mr Sulzberger thinks this serves the public interest.· Can an ombudsman serve the public interest as opposed to the institutional interests of his paper?· Class origins are less important than the objective function of serving the interests of the ruling class.· We first chartered corporations to perform a defined public purpose, to serve the public interest.· The audit is usually performed by a third party, primarily serving the interests of the party who delegated the responsibility.· We want lawyers in government who are there because they are excited by the prospect of serving the public interest.
· Now, fingers on the buzzers and no conferring: what did the caterers serve for lunch?· What do they serve here for lunch?· Across the road from the White Horse Inn - a family run pub serving lunches and evening meals.· I washed dishes, set tables, and served breakfast, lunch, and supper from eleven at night until dawn.· Fifty miles north, Sarah Morgan had just finished serving a lunch that no one had done more than pick at.· It also serves lunch and dinner, but breakfast has become the most popular meal, says owner Gloria Salum.· Choice of ALaCarte Restaurant or the Pavilion Lounge which serves light lunches and traditional beers.· Deck-chairs, sun-loungers and umbrellas are provided and a pool bar serves snacks at lunch time.
· I think you should serve my meal first as penance.· To serve that many meals annually and still maintain a four-star rating, is nothing short of, well, awesome.· Across the road from the White Horse Inn - a family run pub serving lunches and evening meals.· From seven grateful clients, Project Open Hand soon grew to a charity serving eight thousand meals a day.· With such a disturbing audience of one, Leonora took far longer than intended to serve the meal.· In those days we served hot meals to everyone on each flight.· Two nearby tavernas serve more substantial meals.· Several small restaurants at the swimming area serve full meals and cold beer.
· If, however, the schools offered the prospect of serving such obvious needs why, then, did the experiment collapse?· It was ideally located, perfectly engineered and specifically oriented to serving the needs of airplane builders and users.· We know that our organizations were designed to serve the needs of another world, so we are busy redesigning them.· Nor were they able to serve new needs in radically different ways.· And those with a person orientation, such as social groups, exist simply to serve the needs of their members.· Make no mistake, it will serve the needs of most 4 × 4 buyers in style.· It serves our needs in ways that the giants can not, which is spiritual rather than practical.
· The time for serving a hearsay notice set by Ord 38, r21 is 21 days from setting down.· They served notice that conservative nominees face delay or worse.· Miss Goddard urged that the decision not to serve the notice was correct in view of the complexity of the whole investigation.· Resident Manager Gladys Roy and her assistants began going door to door, serving 30-day eviction notices.· If you win, it will then be for them to serve an enforcement notice or injunction as appropriate.· There Gandhi was served with an official notice to quit Champaran immediately.· Property Management, of Darlington, claimed it had served a notice to quit on Finnegan last September.· In those circumstances the landlord will have to serve a further notice under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, s25.
· It elects a 15-member presidium, which in turn elects a Chairman who serves as State President for a five-year term.· He joined North Star in 1978 and served as its president since 1984.· Those arrested included Yoshihiko Kawamura, who had served as Itoman's president until his dismissal earlier in 1991.· Three of the last six presidents served as vice president.· In 1880-1 he served as president of the Institution.· Seventy-four percent said he did not have the personality or temperament to serve responsibly as president.
· He was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment which he is currently serving in Guanajay Prison.· On the other, persons who serve prison sentences need to be able to get a job and participate in society.· Yerkes had been an embezzler in the United States and had served a prison sentence.· Newton was released after serving two years in prison.· His tests were faulty; yet the Maguires served their full prison terms.· He will now start serving a nine-year prison term.· Prosecutors defended the 1992 trial, which left Tyson behind bars serving a prison term of up to six years.· Some Soul-Force resisters served eight prison terms, courting a new sentence the moment they had served the old one.
· After this, what purpose could war ever serve again?· No useful purpose would be served by repeating it here.· What purpose is served by such senseless and heinous acts?· We first chartered corporations to perform a defined public purpose, to serve the public interest.· I appreciate that this purpose may not be served if consent is given on behalf of, rather than by, the patient.· How did it come to be there and what Purpose does it serve?· What purpose might be served by announcing that you're happy?· Mr Kaczynski has determined that no useful purpose would be served in demanding the duplicative process of a preliminary hearing.
· These are by Platzer of 1759 and serve as a reminder of the wealth of the silver mines in Bohemia and Silesia.· They serve as reminders on the eve of the 21st century that we remain prisoners of our past.· The initial letters spell the word H-O-W and serve as a reminder of how recovery is achieved through all one's relationships.· It also serves as a reminder that I am not recommending a domestic Peace Corps but a literate upheaval.· The deaths serve as a reminder that asthma is responsible for a continuing toll of personal tragedy.· Serves me right, but it always serves as a reminder too, whenever I fish a new swim.· The remains of stocks and the whipping post serve as uncomfortable reminders of the not so good old days.
· Smart, 30, is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.· Saldivar claimed she fired her gun accidentally, but she was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence.· Proscribed as a member of illegal organizations, she served two gaol sentences in Mountjoy and Cork.· He also lobbed one at a priest in a North Carolina federal prison while serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court.· He was serving an eight year sentence for burglary at Grendon near Aylesbury.· Davitt is serving a six-month jail sentence in the theft.· Two of them are still in prison, where they are serving 18-month sentences.· Some continue to serve sentences of up to 12 years.
· Heber is serving his three-year term in a federal prison in Bastrop, Texas.· He served two terms with the Michigan state legislature before being elected to Congress in 1978.· Li Jinjin, the union's legal adviser, was also released after serving a similar term of imprisonment without trial.· Turner, 37, was a black graduate of Harvard law school who had served two terms in the state legislature.· Reagan became the first incumbent to serve two terms in the presidency since Dwight D.. Eisenhower in the 1950s.· His tests were faulty; yet the Maguires served their full prison terms.· She succeeded Jerry Smith, who served one tumultuous four-year term as superintendent.
· Voice over Jaguar has already served a writ on one customer who withdrew his order.· In some ways it's like serving a writ, only in this circumstance it's entirely beneficial to the recipient.
VERB· He continued to serve in this role, in addition to his other duties, until he retired in 1959.· Delco, Hydra-matic, and other such component divisions continued to serve as the privileged in-house vendors.· Moore continued to serve the parliamentary cause in a variety of capacities.· Bolster and Ohlmeyer will report to Wright, and will continue to serve in their current positions.· The project will continue to serve as a centre for other scholars working in this field.· Mr Bradley, 47 years old, will also continue to serve as chief financial officer.· But the former Cambridge graduate, who joined the industry 33 years ago, will continue to serve as a non-executive director.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► it serves somebody rightPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► first come, first served► Ye cannot serve God and Mammon
- I served an apprenticeship, worked hard and now I am in the wrong and it is not my fault.
- When he was older, Taylor did serve an apprenticeship and did work as a laborer and machinist.
- In some ways it's like serving a writ, only in this circumstance it's entirely beneficial to the recipient.
- Voice over Jaguar has already served a writ on one customer who withdrew his order.
- After serving two years of her sentence, she was released on probation.
- As no man can serve two masters we had long been told no wise general tries to fight on two fronts.
- He gave Edberg no chance of breaking him, serving four stunning aces and a massive percentage of first services.
- Newton was released after serving two years in prison.
- Reagan became the first incumbent to serve two terms in the presidency since Dwight D.. Eisenhower in the 1950s.
- She served three consecutive terms from 1877 to 1885, and was noted for her fearlessness and power of debate.
- The new managers saw their administrative responsibilities as serving two purposes.
- This story serves two important purposes.
- But once she had consolidated the break and served out for the set she was unable to summon the same assertiveness.
- He gave Edberg no chance of breaking him, serving four stunning aces and a massive percentage of first services.
- No surprise breaks of serve, no marathon games.
- There was a point where I broke her serve for 5-5.
- He can continue to appeal, or go to some other level, until he feels justice has been done.
- He has successfully persuaded the crowd that justice has been done.
- Mr Townsend says he feels justice has been done.
- Mrs Alliss' solicitor says justice has been done.
- The midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew has served its purpose of restoring order to the city.
- I felt that after two and a half years, the therapy had served its purpose.
- If not a particularly eloquent or clever contribution, I thought it served its purpose.
- It replicates a course of action that has seemingly served its purposes in the past.
- Opening the front door, he placed the message on the doorstep, praying that it would serve its purpose.
- The handkerchief, having apparently served its purpose, was forgotten.
- This star system has served its purpose.
- Yet somehow that spurious report served its purpose in terms of giving labor unions a weapon to wield against business.
- As a small boy, I devised my own set of cartoon animals, and they now stood me in good stead.
- But her beloved circus may have served her in better stead than regular outings to, say, the ballet.
- Despite his lack of political experience, Clouthier's 20-year leadership of business organisations stood him in good stead.
- Insomnia would stand him in good stead in this expanse of knee-high cover.
- Now we had moved on to bigger and better things, this predictability still stood us in good stead.
- These shoes had stood him in good stead.
- This habit of work, which is by now natural to me, has stood me in good stead.
- Those contacts, he says, still serve him in good stead today.
WORD FAMILYnounservantserveserverservicedisservicethe servicesservingserveryservicingservilityservitudeadjectiveserviceableservileservingverbserveservice
1food/drink [intransitive, transitive] to give someone food or drink, especially as part of a meal or in a restaurant, bar etc: The waiter was serving another table. Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.serve something with something Serve the soup with crusty bread.serve breakfast/lunch/dinner Breakfast is served until 9 am.serve something to somebody Meals can be served to you in your room.serve something hot/cold etc Teacakes should be served hot with butter.2serve two/three/four etc (people) if food serves two, three etc, there is enough for that number of people3shop [intransitive, transitive] to help the customers in a shop, especially by bringing them the things that they want: There was only one girl serving customers.4be useful/helpful [intransitive, transitive] to be useful or helpful for a particular purpose or reasonserve as The sofa had to serve as a bed. The reforms served as a model for the rest of the Communist world. A large cardboard box will serve the purpose. Her talent for organization should serve her well.serve the needs/interests of somebody/something research projects that serve the needs of industry5do useful work [intransitive, transitive] to spend a period of time doing useful work or official duties for an organization, country, important person etcserve as Lord Herbert served as ambassador to France.serve in the army/air force/navy etc He returned to Greece to serve in the army.serve on Ann serves on various local committees. the women who served their country in the war6have an effect [intransitive] formal to have a particular effect or resultserve as Her death should serve as a warning to other young people.serve to do something A single example serves to illustrate what I mean.7provide something [transitive] to provide an area or a group of people with something that is necessary or useful: Paris is served by two airports.GRAMMAR Serve is usually passive in this meaning.8prison [transitive] to spend a particular period of time in prison: He served an 18-month sentence for theft. Did you know that Les is serving time (=is in prison)?9sport [intransitive, transitive] to start playing in a game such as tennis or volleyball by throwing the ball up in the air and hitting it over the net10it serves somebody right spoken used to say that you think someone deserves something unpleasant that happens to them, because they have been stupid or unkind: ‘She kicked me!’ ‘It serves you right, teasing her like that.’11serve an apprenticeship to learn a job or skill by working for a particular period of time for someone who has a lot of experience12serve a summons/writ etc to officially send or give someone a written order to appear in a court of law → if my memory serves me (right/well/correctly) at memory(1)serve something ↔ out phrasal verb1to complete a particular period of time in prison or doing a job: Dillon’s almost served out his sentence (=in prison). The Senator’s illness means he may not serve out his term.2British English to put food onto plates: Serve out the rice, will you?serve something ↔ up phrasal verb to give food to someone as part of a meal: What are you serving up tonight?serve1 verbserve2 noun
serveserve2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- My standard of tennis is at that level where merely returning a serve constitutes a match highlight.
- No surprise breaks of serve, no marathon games.
- Rusedski's serve was broken in the fourth game of the opening set, and he did not like it.
- The number of sets can be altered, along with whether points can or can't be won on your opponents' serve.
- With two serves in hand Rafter was poised to take a 6-1 lead.
THESAURUSpreparing food
to cut cheese, carrot etc into small pieces by rubbing it against a special tool: · Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the top of the pasta.
to make butter, chocolate etc become liquid: · Melt the butter, chocolate, and 1 teaspoon of cream over a low heat.
British English, sift American English to put flour or other powders through a sieve (=tool like a net made of wire, which you use for removing larger grains or pieces): · Sift the flour and cocoa before adding to the rest of the mixture.
to cut something into pieces, especially using a big knife: · Chop up the vegetables.
to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: · Dice the carrots and then fry them in butter.
to add salt, pepper etc to food: · Season the meat before grilling.
to use a lot of force to break something such as seeds into very small pieces or into a powder: · Add one clove of crushed garlic.
to combine different foods together: · Mix together all the ingredients in one bowl.
to mix food together quickly with a fork or other tool: · Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks.
to turn food around with a spoon: · Stir the sauce gently to prevent burning.
to gently mix another substance into a mixture: · Fold in the beaten egg whites.
to press dough (=a mixture of flour and water) many times with your hands when you are making bread: · Knead the dough for ten minutes, until smooth.
to slowly pour a small amount of a liquid onto something: · Drizzle with olive oil.
to leave something somewhere, before you do something else with it: · Let the mixture stand for a couple of hours so that it cools naturally.
to put different foods together as part of a meal: · Serve with rice and a salad.· Serve the aubergines on a bed of lettuce.
WORD SETSace, nounace, verbacrobat, nounacrobatic, adjectiveacrobatics, nounaction replay, nounaerobic, adjectiveaim, nounaim, verball-American, adjectiveall-seater, adjectivearena, nounAstroTurf, nounattack, verbaway, adverbaway, adjectiveback, nounbackhand, nounbackhanded, adjectivebackhander, nounbackspin, nounball, nounball game, nounbaseline, nounbat, nounbench, verbbleachers, nounblock, nounbobble, verbbout, nounbowl, nounbowl, verbbowling alley, nounbowling ball, nounbowling green, nounbox, nounbox, verbboxer, nounbronze, nounbronze medal, nounbye, nouncall, verbcall, nouncap, verbcaptain, nouncaptain, verbcaptaincy, nounchange, verbchanging room, nouncheer, nouncheerleader, nouncheerleading, nounchip, nounchip, verbcircuit training, nounclose season, nounclubhouse, nouncoach, nounconference, nouncontender, nouncourse, nouncourse, verbcourt, nouncover, verbcross, verbcross, nouncross-country, adjectivecrown, nouncup, nouncup final, nouncup tie, nouncurve, noundead, adjectivedecider, noundefence, noundefend, verbdefender, noundefensive, adjectivederby, noundisallow, verbdisqualify, verbdivision, noundivot, noundown, adverbdraft, noundraw, verbdraw, noundribble, verbdribble, noundrive, noundrop, verbdrop goal, noundropkick, noundrop shot, noundrubbing, noundugout, nouneleven, numberequalize, verbequalizer, nouneven, adjectiveevent, nounface, nounfast, adjectivefavourite, nounfeint, nounfield, verbfielder, nounfieldsman, nounfield sports, nounfight, verbfight, nounfighter, nounfinalist, nounfirst half, nounfirst-string, adjectivefixture, nounflat, adjectiveflip, nounfollow-through, nounfootball, nounfootwork, nounform, nounfoul, nounfoul line, nounfriendly, adjectivefull-court press, nounfull time, nounfumble, verbgala, noungame, noungame point, noungate, noungoal, noungoalie, noungoalkeeper, noungoalless, adjectivegoal line, noungoalmouth, noungoalpost, noungoaltender, noungold, noungold medal, noungrand slam, noungrandstand, nounground staff, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhalf, nounhalfback, nounhalf nelson, nounhalf-time, nounhammer, nounhandball, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandicap, nounhandspring, nounhandstand, nounhat trick, nounhead start, nounheat, nounheavy, adjectivehiding, nounhome, adjectivein, adverbinfield, nouninjury time, nouninterference, nouninternational, nounjersey, nounjock, nounjockstrap, nounjogging suit, nounjump, nounjump ball, nounjumper, nounjumping jack, nounjump shot, nounjunior varsity, nounlane, nounleague table, nounletter, nounletter, verblevel, verblineman, nounlinesman, nounline-up, nounlocker, nounlocker room, nounluge, nounmallet, nounmanager, nounmark, verbmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatch, nounmedal, nounmedallist, nounmeeting, nounMexican wave, nounmidfield, nounmisfield, verbmixed doubles, nounmotocross, nounmotor racing, nounmuff, verbmusclebound, adjectivemuscleman, nounnet, nounnet, verbnetball, nounnil, nounno ball, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounobstruction, nounoffense, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffside, adjectiveOlympiad, nounOlympic, adjectiveOlympic Games, the, onside, adjectiveopener, nounopponent, nounout, adverbout, nounoutdistance, verboutsider, nounoverarm, adjectiveoverhand, adjectiveown goal, nounpacesetter, nounpass, verbpass, nounPE, nounpenalty, nounpep rally, nounperiod, nounphoto finish, nounphysical education, nounpitch, nounplace kick, nounplayable, adjectiveplay-by-play, nounplayer, nounplaying field, nounplay-off, nounpoint, nounpole, verbposition, nounpossession, nounpost, nounpreliminary, nounpro-am, nounprofessionalism, nounpromote, verbpromotion, nounPT, nounpull, verbpull-up, nounpummel, verbpunchbag, nounqualifier, nounqualify, verbquarter-final, nounrace, verbracetrack, nounracing, adjectiveracket, nounrain check, nounrally, nounrecord, nounrecord-holder, nounrecreation ground, nounref, nounreferee, nounreferee, verbregatta, nounrelay, nounrelay race, nounrelegate, verbreplay, verbreplay, nounrerun, verbreserve, nounretire, verbreturn, verbrevenge, nounringside, nounroll, nounrookie, nounround, nounround robin, nounrunner, nounrunner-up, nounrun-up, nounsave, verbsave, nounscore, nounscore, verbscorer, nounscratch, verbscratch, adjectivescreen, nounscrimmage, nounselector, nounsemi, nounsemi-final, nounsemi-finalist, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveserve, verbserve, nounserver, nounservice, nounset, nounshoot, verbshoot, nounshot, nounsideline, nounsilver, nounsilver medal, nounskate, nounskipper, nounslaughter, verbslice, verbslick, nounslump, nounsnowmobile, nounsnowshoe, nounsomersault, nounsouthpaw, nounspar, verbsparring partner, nounspectate, verbspectator, nounspectator sport, nounspin, nounsports centre, nounsports day, nounsportsmanship, nounsporty, adjectivespot, verbsprint, verbsquad, nounstadium, nounstagger, verbstart, nounstarter, nounstarting blocks, nounstayer, nounstick, nounstraight, nounstrip, nounstroke, nounstud, nounsub, nounsudden death, nounsweatband, nounsweatpants, nounsweat suit, nountackle, verbtackle, nountalent scout, nountarget, nounteam-mate, nounthree-legged race, nounthrow, nounthrust, verbtie, nountiebreaker, nountight, adjectivetime, verbtimekeeper, nountime out, nountitle, nountitle holder, nountopspin, nountoreador, nountour, nountournament, nountrack, nountrain, verbtransfer fee, nountrophy, nountryout, nounumpire, nounumpire, verbunbeatable, adjectiveundecided, adjectiveunderarm, adverbunderhand, adverbunplaced, adjectiveuppercut, nounvarsity, nounvolley, nounvolley, verbwalking, nounwarm-up, nounwet suit, nounwhippet, nounwhistle, verbwhistle, nounwin, nounwing, nounwinger, nounworkout, nounwristband, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He’s serving an apprenticeship as a printer. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. Miller is serving a life sentence for murder. a long-serving member of the committee He had been accused of a drug offence but police had been unable to serve a summons on him (=officially order him to appear in court). The company has been served with a writ for damages.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
He’s serving an apprenticeship as a printer.· He had served in the Indian army.
· The document will serve as a basis for negotiations.
(=work as a judge or magistrate)
· She had served on the board of governors of the BBC.
(=for serving foods)· She put the strawberries in a glass serving bowl.
(=be a member of an important committee)· Our organization is always in need of volunteers to serve on the committee.
(=work for your country in an official way)· Remember those who are serving our country as soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
· Serve the apple tart warm with thick cream.
· Every day the shop serves around 800 customers.
(=start giving people food)· Dinner is served between 7 and 11 pm in the hotel restaurant.
Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. (=give food to someone, especially in a restaurant)· She served food and cleared tables all evening.
A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. (=spend time in jail)· He was finally released after serving 27 years in jail.
(=be a member of a jury)· At that time, black people were not allowed to serve on juries.
Miller is serving a life sentence for murder. a long-serving member of the committee· The bar serves snacks and meals.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
formal (=warn someone about something)· They have served notice that they intend to take legal action against the company.
(=be used in a particular way)· The building must have served a religious purpose.· Many old school buildings are no longer suitable for fulfilling their original purpose.
(=be a reminder)· The photograph will serve as a lovely reminder of your visit.
· The restaurant serves lunch from midday until two thirty.
(=spend time in prison)· Her husband is serving a two-year sentence for credit-card fraud.
He had been accused of a drug offence but police had been unable to serve a summons on him (=officially order him to appear in court).· She served a term as chairwoman of the council.
(=be useful)· Sending her to prison would serve no useful purpose.
The company has been served with a writ for damages.· Jimmy could have had a better serve.· It is the excuse that best serves ambition today.· The church then chooses the family or families it believes it can best serve.
VERB· Basuki broke Van Lotum's serve in the final game.· There was a point where I broke her serve for 5-5.· Capriati broke her opponent's serve in the opening game and bolted to a 4-0 lead.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► first come, first served► Ye cannot serve God and Mammon
- But once she had consolidated the break and served out for the set she was unable to summon the same assertiveness.
- He gave Edberg no chance of breaking him, serving four stunning aces and a massive percentage of first services.
- No surprise breaks of serve, no marathon games.
- There was a point where I broke her serve for 5-5.
- He can continue to appeal, or go to some other level, until he feels justice has been done.
- He has successfully persuaded the crowd that justice has been done.
- Mr Townsend says he feels justice has been done.
- Mrs Alliss' solicitor says justice has been done.
- The midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew has served its purpose of restoring order to the city.
- I felt that after two and a half years, the therapy had served its purpose.
- If not a particularly eloquent or clever contribution, I thought it served its purpose.
- It replicates a course of action that has seemingly served its purposes in the past.
- Opening the front door, he placed the message on the doorstep, praying that it would serve its purpose.
- The handkerchief, having apparently served its purpose, was forgotten.
- This star system has served its purpose.
- Yet somehow that spurious report served its purpose in terms of giving labor unions a weapon to wield against business.
- As a small boy, I devised my own set of cartoon animals, and they now stood me in good stead.
- But her beloved circus may have served her in better stead than regular outings to, say, the ballet.
- Despite his lack of political experience, Clouthier's 20-year leadership of business organisations stood him in good stead.
- Insomnia would stand him in good stead in this expanse of knee-high cover.
- Now we had moved on to bigger and better things, this predictability still stood us in good stead.
- These shoes had stood him in good stead.
- This habit of work, which is by now natural to me, has stood me in good stead.
- Those contacts, he says, still serve him in good stead today.
WORD FAMILYnounservantserveserverservicedisservicethe servicesservingserveryservicingservilityservitudeadjectiveserviceableservileservingverbserveservice
the action in a game such as tennis or volleyball when you throw the ball in the air and hit it over the net