Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Serve \Serve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L.
   servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to
   protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva
   protecting. Cf. {Conserve}, {Desert} merit, {Dessert},
   {Observe}, {Serf}, {Sergeant}.]
   1. 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.

            God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit.
                                                  --Rom. i. 9.

            Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee
            seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. --Gen.
                                                  xxix. 18.

            No man can serve two masters.         --Matt. vi.
                                                  24.

            Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served
            my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked
            to mine enemies.                      --Shak.

   2. To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to
      appear as the inferior of; to minister to.

            Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less
            not bright.                           --Milton.

   3. To be suitor to; to profess love to. [Obs.]

            To serve a lady in his beste wise.    --Chaucer.

   4. 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.

            Others, pampered in their shameless pride, Are
            served in plate and in their chariots ride.
                                                  --Dryden.

   5. 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.

            Bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we
            will come in to dinner.               --Shak.

            Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed.
                                                  --Dryde.