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A Writer's Dictionary:

serve Definition


Dictionary Home » Words Starting with S » sequoia ... service area » serve


serve
verb served, serving
    1. To work for someone as a domestic servant; to be in the service of someone.
      Thesaurus: assist, help, attend, wait on.
    intr
    2. To be a servant.
    3. To work for the benefit of someone; to aid.
      Example: He serves the community well
    tr & intr
    4. To attend to customers in a shop, etc; to provide to customers.
    tr & intr
    5. To attend to the needs or requirements of someone.
      Example: These shoes have served me well
    tr & intr
    6. To bring, distribute or present (food or drink) to someone.
    intr
    7. To wait at table.
    8. To provide with or supply materials.
    9. To render service and obedience to someone.
      Example: to serve God
      Example: to serve the country
      Thesaurus: obey, honour, follow, revere.
    intr
    10. To carry out duties as a member of some body or organization.
      Example: They serve on a committee
    intr
    11. To act as a member of the armed forces.
      Example: We served in the marines
      Example: We served in France
    12. To provide specified facilities.
      Example: There are trams serving the entire city
    tr & intr
    13. To be of use; to suffice or fulfil a need.
      Example: There's no chair, but this box will serve
      Example: This will serve our purpose
    intr
    14. To have a specific effect or result.
      Example: His speech just served to make matters worse
    15. To undergo as a requirement.
      Example: You have to serve an apprenticeship
    tr & intr
    16. In racket sports: to put (the ball) into play.
    17. law.
      To deliver or present (a legal document).
      Example: serve with a writ
      Example: He served a summons on her
    18. Said of a male animal: to copulate with (a female).
    19. naut.
      To bind (rope, etc) with cord to guard and strengthen it.
noun
    1. In racket sports: an act of serving.
Idiom: serve one's time
    To undergo an apprenticeship or term in office.
Idiom: serve someone right
    colloq
    To be the misfortune or punishment that they deserve.
Idiom: serve time
    To undergo a term of imprisonment.
Etymology: 13c: from Latin servire to serve.

Phrasal Verb: serve as something
    To act as or take the place of it.
      Example: This box will serve as a chair
Phrasal Verb: serve up
    To bring food, etc to the table.
      Example: I'll serve up in about half an hour


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