Noun | 1. | serve - (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game" Synonyms: service |
Verb | 1. | serve - 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" Synonyms: function |
2. | serve - 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" | |
3. | serve - contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity" | |
4. | serve - be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses" Synonyms: service | |
5. | serve - help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself" Synonyms: help | |
6. | serve - 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" | |
7. | serve - 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" | |
8. | serve - 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 counrty well" Synonyms: serve well | |
9. | serve - spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement" Synonyms: do | |
10. | serve - 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" | |
11. | serve - deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff" | |
12. | serve - 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" | |
13. | serve - do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted" | |
14. | serve - mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes" Synonyms: service | |
15. | serve - put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve" |
(networking) | serve - To be a server, to provide a service. E.g., "The shttpd serves requested documents to clients over a secure link." |