Associations to the word «Serve»

SERVE, noun. (sports) An act of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games.

SERVE, noun. (chiefly Australia) A portion of food or drink, a serving.

SERVE, verb. (heading) (personal) To provide a service.

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To be a formal servant for (a god or deity); to worship in an official capacity. [from 12thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To be a servant for; to work for, to be employed by. [from 13thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To wait upon (someone) at table; to set food and drink in front of, to help (someone) to food, meals etc. [from 13thc.]

SERVE, verb. (intransitive) To be a servant or worker; to perform the duties of a servant or employee; to render service. [from 14thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To set down (food or drink) on the table to be eaten; to bring (food, drink) to a person. [from 15thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) (archaic) To treat (someone) in a given manner. [from 13thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) (archaic) To be suitor to; to be the lover of. [from 14thc.]

SERVE, verb. (heading) To be effective.

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To be useful to; to meet the needs of. [from 14thc.]

SERVE, verb. (intransitive) To have a given use or purpose; to function for something or to do something. [from 14thc.]

SERVE, verb. (intransitive) To usefully take the place as, instead of something else. [from 14thc.]

SERVE, verb. (heading) (transitive) (legal) To deliver a document.

SERVE, verb. To officially deliver (a legal notice, summons etc.). [from 15thc.]

SERVE, verb. To make legal service upon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.)

SERVE, verb. (transitive) (intransitive) (sports) To lead off with the first delivery over the net in tennis, volleyball, ping pong, badminton etc. [from 16thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To copulate with (of male animals); to cover. [from 16thc.]

SERVE, verb. (intransitive) To be in military service. [from 16thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) (military) To work, to operate (a weapon). [from 18thc.]

SERVE, verb. (transitive) To work through (a given period of time in prison, a sentence). [from 19thc.]

SERVE, verb. (nautical) To wind spun yarn etc. tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather.

SERVE AND VOLLEY, noun. (tennis) A tactic where a player serves and immediately moves towards the net in an attempt to hit a volley.

SERVE OUT, verb. (tennis) To win a set, or by extension a match, by holding serve (winning a game as the server).

SERVE SOMEONE RIGHT, verb. Used other than as an idiom: see serve,‎ right.

SERVE SOMEONE RIGHT, verb. (idiomatic) (Of an unpleasant event) To happen to someone who is thought to deserve it.

SERVE SOMEONE THE SAME SAUCE, verb. To retaliate in the same kind.

SERVE TIME, verb. (idiomatic) To be in prison or a similar institute

SERVE UP, verb. (transitive) (idiomatic) Provide; deliver.

SERVE UP, verb. (transitive) (sports) To pitch, throw, serve, or kick a ball to an opponent so that it is easily hit or intercepted.

SERVE, noun. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. Contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity".

SERVE, verb. Be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses".

SERVE, verb. Help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. Spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. Deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff".

SERVE, verb. 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".

SERVE, verb. Do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted".

SERVE, verb. Mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes".

SERVE, verb. Put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve".