29. serve (of a male animal) to mate with; service.
30. serve Naut. to wrap (a rope) tightly with light cordage, keeping the turns as close together as possible.
31. (n.)serve the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.
Definition of 'serve'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (verb)serve, service (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play "his powerful serves won the game"
2. (verb)serve, function serve a purpose, role, or function "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk"
3. (verb)serve do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms"
4. (verb)serve contribute or conduce to "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
5. (verb)service, serve be used by; as of a utility "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
6. (verb)serve, help help to some food; help with food or drink "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
7. (verb)serve, serve up, dish out, dish up, dish provide (usually but not necessarily food) "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show"
8. (verb)serve devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country"
9. (verb)serve, serve well promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the country well"
10. (verb)serve, do spend time in prison or in a labor camp "He did six years for embezzlement"
11. (verb)serve, attend to, wait on, attend, assist work for or be a servant to "May I serve you?"; "She attends the old lady in the wheelchair"; "Can you wait on our table, please?"; "Is a salesperson assisting you?"; "The minister served the King for many years"
12. (verb)serve, process, swear out deliver a warrant or summons to someone "He was processed by the sheriff"
13. (verb)suffice, do, answer, serve be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve"
14. (verb)serve do military service "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
15. (verb)serve, service mate with "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
16. (verb)serve put the ball into play "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
1. (verb)serve to give sb food or drink the waiter who served us in the restaurant; Could you serve the drinks to the guests?
2. serve to do a job or duty for a person, organization, etc. He served in the Senate for eighteen years.; She currently serves as vice president of technology.; soldiers serving their country
3. serve to have a result or effect a video game that only serves to teach young people about violence
4. serve to help achieve or provide The old dock serves no purpose anymore.; a community center that serves the needs of the town
5. serve to spend time in prison to serve a life sentence; He served 22 years.
6. serve to hit a ball to start playing tennis ***Who's turn is it to serve?; ***to serve the ball
7. serve it serves sb right indicates you think what happened to sb was sth they deserved "The teacher kept me inside at lunch." "It serves you right for lying."
Definition of 'serve'
Webster Dictionary
1. (verb)serve to work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship
2. (verb)serve to be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to
3. (verb)serve to be suitor to; to profess love to
4. (verb)serve to wait upon; to supply the wants of; to attend; specifically, to wait upon at table; to attend at meals; to supply with food; as, to serve customers in a shop
5. (verb)serve hence, to bring forward, arrange, deal, or distribute, as a portion of anything, especially of food prepared for eating; -- often with up; formerly with in
6. (verb)serve to perform the duties belonging to, or required in or for; hence, to be of use to; as, a curate may serve two churches; to serve one's country
7. (verb)serve to contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn
8. (verb)serve to answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch
9. (verb)serve to treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill
10. (verb)serve to work; to operate; as, to serve the guns
11. (verb)serve to bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons
12. (verb)serve to make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subp/na
13. (verb)serve to pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison
14. (verb)serve to copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male
15. (verb)serve to lead off in delivering (the ball)
16. (verb)serve to wind spun yarn, or the like, tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather. See under Serving
17. (verb)serve to be a servant or a slave; to be employed in labor or other business for another; to be in subjection or bondage; to render menial service
18. (verb)serve to perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc
19. (verb)serve to be in service; to do duty; to discharge the requirements of an office or employment. Specifically, to act in the public service, as a soldier, seaman. etc
20. (verb)serve to be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable
21. (verb)serve to lead off in delivering the ball