| 单词 | serve |
| 释义 | serve v. & n. --v 1. tr. do a service for (a person, community, etc.). 2. tr. (also absol.) be a servant to. 3. intr. carry out duties (served on six committees). 4. intr. a (foll. by in) be employed in (an organization, esp. the armed forces, or a place, esp. a foreign country) (served in the air force). b be a member of the armed forces. 5. a tr. be useful to or serviceable for; meet the needs of; do what is required for (serve a purpose; one packet serves him for a week). b intr. meet requirements; perform a function (a sofa serving as a bed). c intr. (foll. by to + infin.) avail, suffice (his attempt served only to postpone the inevitable; it serves to show the folly of such action). 6. tr. go through a due period of (office, apprenticeship, a prison sentence, etc.). 7. tr. set out or present (food) for those about to eat it (asparagus served with butter; dinner was then served). 8. intr. (in full serve at table) act as a waiter. 9. tr. a attend to (a customer in a shop). b (foll. by with) supply with (goods) (was serving a customer with apples; served the town with gas). 10. tr. treat or act towards (a person) in a specified way (has served me shamefully; you may serve me as you will). 11. tr. a (often foll. by on) deliver (a writ etc.) to the person concerned in a legally formal manner (served a warrant on him). b (foll. by with) deliver a writ etc. to (a person) in this way (served her with a summons). 12. tr. Tennis etc. a (also absol.) deliver (a ball etc.) to begin or resume play. b produce (a fault etc.) by doing this. 13. tr. Mil. keep (a gun, battery, etc.) firing. 14. tr. (of an animal, esp. a stallion etc. hired for the purpose) copulate with (a female). 15. tr. distribute (served the ammunition out; served the rations round). 16. tr. render obedience to (a deity etc.). 17. Eccl. a intr. act as a server. b tr. act as a server at (a service). 18. intr. (of a tide) be suitable for a ship to leave harbour etc. 19. tr. Naut. bind (a rope etc.) with thin cord to strengthen it. 20. tr. play (a trick etc.) on. --n 1. Tennis etc. a the act or an instance of serving. b a manner of serving. c a person's turn to serve. 2. Austral. sl. a reprimand. Phrases and idioms it will serve it will be adequate. serve one's needs (or need) be adequate. serve out retaliate on. serve the purpose of take the place of, be used as. serve a person right be a person's deserved punishment or misfortune. serve one's time 1. hold office for the normal period. 2. (also serve time) undergo imprisonment, apprenticeship, etc. serve one's (or the) turn be adequate. serve up offer for acceptance. Etymology: ME f. OF servir f. L servire f. servus slave |
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