n.
Pronunciation: ' s ə r-v ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French servise, from Latin servitium condition of a slave, body of slaves, from servus slave
Date: 13th century
1 a : the occupation or function of serving <in active service > b : employment as a servant <entered his service >
2 a : the work performed by one that serves <good service > b : HELP , USE , BENEFIT <glad to be of service > c : contribution to the welfare of others d : disposal for use <I'm entirely at your service >
3 a : a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony <the burial service > b : a meeting for worship ― often used in plural <held evening service s >
4 : the act of serving: as a : a helpful act <did him a service > b : useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity ― usually used in plural <charge for professional service s > c : SERVE
5 : a set of articles for a particular use <a silver tea service >
6 a : an administrative division (as of a government or business) <the consular service > b : one of a nation's military forces (as the army or navy)
7 a : a facility supplying some public demand <telephone service > <bus service > b : a facility providing maintenance and repair <television service >
8 : the materials (as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope
9 : the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law
10 : the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal
11 : a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty <obstetrical service >