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.

Serve \Serve\, v. i.
   1. 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.

            The Lord shall give thee rest . . . from the hard
            bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. --Isa. xiv.
                                                  3.

   2. To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household
      affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc.

            But Martha . . . said, Lord, dost thou not care that
            my sister hath left me to serve alone? --Luke x. 40.

   3. 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.

            Many . . . who had before been great commanders, but
            now served as private gentlemen without pay.
                                                  --Knolles.

   4. To be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to
      be convenient or favorable.

            This little brand will serve to light your fire.
                                                  --Dryden.

            As occasion serves, this noble queen And prince
            shall follow with a fresh supply.     --Shak.

   5. (Tennis) To lead off in delivering the ball.

Source : WordNet®

serve
     n : (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful
         serves won the game" [syn: {service}]

serve
     v 1: 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" [syn:
          {function}]
     2: 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: contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase
        his popularity"
     4: be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the
        neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter
        his horses" [syn: {service}]
     5: help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him
        three times, and after that he helped himself" [syn: {help}]
     6: 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" [syn: {serve up},
         {dish out}, {dish up}, {dish}]
     7: 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: 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" [syn: {serve well}]
     9: spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years
        for embezzlement" [syn: {do}]
     10: 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" [syn: {attend
         to}, {wait on}, {attend}, {assist}]
     11: deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed
         by the sheriff" [syn: {process}, {swear out}]
     12: 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"
         [syn: {suffice}, {do}, {answer}]
     13: do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never
         served, because they are short-sighted"
     14: mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding
         purposes" [syn: {service}]
     15: put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

serve
     
         To be a {server}, to provide a {service}.
     
        E.g., "The {shttpd} serves requested documents to clients over
        a secure link."
     
        (1997-09-11)