I. ˈsər-vəs 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
II. transitive verb
( ser·viced ; ser·vic·ing )
Date: 1528
: to perform services for: as
a. : to repair or provide maintenance for
serviced the furnace
b. : to meet interest and sinking fund payments on (as government debt)
c. : to perform any of the business functions auxiliary to production or distribution of
d. of a male animal : serve 10
• ser·vic·er noun
III. adjective
Date: 1837
1. : of or relating to the armed services
2. : used in serving or supplying
delivery men use the service entrance
3. : intended for hard or everyday use
4.
a. : providing services
the service trades—from filling stations to universities — John Fischer
b. : offering repair, maintenance, or incidental services
IV. ˈsər-vəs noun
Etymology: Middle English serves, plural of serve fruit of the service tree, service tree, from Old English syrfe, from Vulgar Latin * sorbea, from Latin sorbus service tree
Date: 1530
: an Old World tree ( Sorbus domestica ) resembling the related mountain ashes but having larger flowers and larger edible fruit ; also : a related Old World tree ( S. torminalis ) with bitter fruits