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