serv.

To work for; to bestow the labor of boky and mind in the employment of another. Jacob loved Rachel and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy youngest daughters. Genesis 29:18. No man can serve two masters. Vaithew 6:24.

To act as the minister of; to perform official duties to; as, a minister serves his prince. Had I served God as diligently as I have served the king, he would not have given me over in my gray hairs. Cardinal Woolsey.

To attend at command; to wait on. A goddess among gods, ador’d and serv’d . By anbels numberless, thy daily train. Milton.

To obey servilely or meanly. be not to wealth a servant.

To supply with food; as, to be served in plate.

To be subservient or subordinate to. Bodies bright and greater should not serve . The less not bright. Milton.

To perform the duties required in; as, the curate served two churches.

To obey; to perform duties in the employment of; as, to serve the king or the country in the army or navy.

To be sufficient, or to promote; as, to serve one’s turn, end or purpose.

To help by good offices; as, to serve one’s country.

To comply with; to submit to. They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment.

To be sufficient for; to satisfy; to content. One half pint bottle serves them both to dine, And is at once their vinegar and wine. Pope.

To be in the place of any thing to one. A sofa serves the Turks for a seat and a couch.

To treat; to requite; as, he served me ungratefully; he served me very ill; We say also, he served me a trick, that is he deceived me, or practiced an artifice on me.

In Scripture and theology, to obey and worship; to act in conformity to the law of a superior, and treat him with due reverence. Fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth. As for me and my house, we will serve the lord. Joshua 24:15.

In a bad sense, to obey; to yeild compliance or act according to. Serving divers lusts and treasures. Titus 3:3.

To worship; to render homage to; as, to serve idols or false gods.

To be a slave to; to be in bondage to.

To serve one’s self of, to use; to make use of; a Gallicism, I will serve myself of this concession. Chillingworh.