service

pronunciation

How to pronounce service in British English: UK [ˈsɜːvɪs] word uk audio image

How to pronounce service in American English: US [ˈsɜːrvɪs] word us audio image

Noun:

work done by one person or group that benefits another
a company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
the act of public worship following prescribed rules
an act of help or assistance
employment in or work for another
a force that is a branch of the armed forces
the performance of duties by a waiter or servant
periodic maintenance on a car or machine
tableware consisting of a complete set of articles (silver or dishware) for use at table
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone
a means of serving
the act of mating by male animals
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
Verb:

be used by; as of a utility
make fit for use
mate with

Word Origin

service (n.1): c. 1100, "celebration of public worship," from Old French servise "act of homage; servitude; service at table; Mass, church ceremony," from Latin servitium "slavery, condition of a slave, servitude," also "slaves collectively," from servus "slave" (see serve (v.)). Meaning "act of serving, occupation of an attendant servant" is attested from c. 1200, as is that of "assistance, help; a helpful act." From c. 1300 as "provision of food; sequence of dishes served in a meal;" from late 14c. as "service at table, attendance during a meal." Meaning "the furniture of the table" (tea service, etc.) is from mid-15c. Meanings "state of being bound to undertake tasks for someone or at someone's direction; labor performed or undertaken for another" are mid-13c. Sense of "service or employment in a court or administration" is from c. 1300, as is that of "military service (especially by a knight); employment as a soldier;" hence "the military as an occupation" (1706). Also in Middle English "sexual intercourse, conjugal relations" (mid-15c.; service of Venus, or flesh's service). Service industry (as distinct from production) attested from 1938. A service station originally was a gas stop that also repaired cars.

service (v.): 1893, "to provide with service," from service (n.1). Meaning "perform work on" first recorded 1926. Related: Serviced; servicing.

service (n.2): type of tree or berry, extended form of serve (perhaps via Middle English plural serves being taken as a singular), from Old English syrfe, Old French sorbe, both from Vulgar Latin *sorbea, from Latin sorbus (see sorb).