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.-to be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to.-to be suitor to; to profess love to.-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.-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.-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.-to contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn.-to answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.-to treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill.-to work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.-to bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons.-to make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subp/na.-to pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison.-to copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male.-to lead off in delivering (the ball).-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.-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.-to perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc.-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.-to be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable.-to lead off in delivering the ball.