From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
serve
n 1: (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful
serves won the game" [syn: serve, service]
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:
serve, 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, serve]
5: help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him
three times, and after that he helped himself" [syn: serve,
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, 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 country
well" [syn: serve, serve well]
9: spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years
for embezzlement" [syn: serve, 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: serve,
attend to, wait on, attend, assist]
11: deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed
by the sheriff" [syn: serve, 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, serve]
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: serve, service]
15: put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"