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.

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

To serve a lady in his beste wise. Chaucer.

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

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.

Turn it into some advantage, by observing where it can serve another end. Jer. Taylor.

To serve an attachment or a writ of attachment (Law), to levy it on the person or goods by seizure, or to seize. -- To serve an execution (Law), to levy it on a lands, goods, or person, by seizure or taking possession. -- To serve an office, to discharge a public duty. -- To serve a process (Law), in general, to read it, so as to give due notice to the party concerned, or to leave an attested copy with him or his attorney, or his usual place of abode. -- To serve a warrant, to read it, and seize the person against whom it is issued. -- To serve a writ (Law), to read it to the defendant, or to leave an attested copy at his usual place of abode. -- To serve one out, to retaliate upon; to requite. "I'll serve you out for this." C. Kingsley. -- To serve one right, to treat, or cause to befall one, according to his deserts; -- used commonly of ill deserts; as, it serves the scoundrel right. -- To serve one's self of, to avail one's self of; to make use of. [A Gallicism]

I will serve myself of this concession. Chillingworth.

-- To serve out, to distribute; as, to serve out rations. -- To serve the time or the hour, to regulate one's actions by the requirements of the time instead of by one's duty; to be a timeserver. [Obs.]

They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment. Hooker.

Syn. -- To obey; minister to; subserve; promote; aid; help; assist; benefit; succor.

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

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

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

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.