{ Serv"ice (?), n., or Serv"ice (?) }. [Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. serves, pl., service berries, AS. syrfe service tree; akin to L. sorbus.] (Bot.) A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.

{ Serv"ice (?), n., or Serv"ice (?) }. [Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. serves, pl., service berries, AS. syrfe service tree; akin to L. sorbus.] (Bot.) A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.

Serv"ice, n. [OE. servise, OF. servise, service, F. service, from L. servitium. See Serve.] 1. The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper, slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love. "O God . . . whose service is perfect freedom." Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Madam, I entreat true peace of you,
Which I will purchase with my duteous service.

God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms.

2. The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office.

I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.

This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles.

To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor?

3. Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service.

The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law.

4. Hence, a musical composition for use in churches.

5. Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier.

When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier.

6. Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail.

The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures.

7. Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed. "Pray, do my service to his majesty." Shak.

8. The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass.

There was no extraordinary service seen on the board.

9. (Law) The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpœna or an attachment.

10. (Naut.) The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.

11. (Tennis) The act of serving the ball.

12. Act of serving or covering. See Serve, v. t., 13.

{ Serv"ice (?), n., or Serv"ice (?) }. [Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. serves, pl., service berries, AS. syrfe service tree; akin to L. sorbus.] (Bot.) A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.

{ Serv"ice (?), n., or Serv"ice (?) }. [Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. serves, pl., service berries, AS. syrfe service tree; akin to L. sorbus.] (Bot.) A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.

Serv"ice, n. [OE. servise, OF. servise, service, F. service, from L. servitium. See Serve.] 1. The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper, slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love. "O God . . . whose service is perfect freedom." Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Madam, I entreat true peace of you,
Which I will purchase with my duteous service.

God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms.

2. The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office.

I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.

This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles.

To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor?

3. Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service.

The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law.

4. Hence, a musical composition for use in churches.

5. Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier.

When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier.

6. Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail.

The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures.

7. Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed. "Pray, do my service to his majesty." Shak.

8. The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass.

There was no extraordinary service seen on the board.

9. (Law) The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpœna or an attachment.

10. (Naut.) The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.

11. (Tennis) The act of serving the ball.

12. Act of serving or covering. See Serve, v. t., 13.

• (economics) That which is produced, then traded, bought or sold, then finally consumed and consists of an action or work.
        Hair care is a service industry.
  
• (computing) A function that is provided by one program or machine for another.
        This machine provides the name service for the LAN.
  
• The military.
        I did three years in the service before coming here.
  
• A set of dishes or utensils.
        She brought out the silver tea service.
  
• The act of initially starting, or serving, the ball in play in tennis, volleyball, and other games.
        The player had four service faults in the set.
  
• A religious rite or ritual.
        The funeral service was touching.
  
• (law) The serving, or delivery, of a summons or writ.
        The service happened yesterday.
  
• (public service) that which is provided by the Government or its agents
        The Job Centre provides a service to the unemployed.
  
• to serve
        They service the customer base.
  
• to perform maintenance
        He is going to service the car.