Dictionary
serv•ice
Pronunciation: (sûr'vis), [key]
—n., adj., v., -iced, -ic•ing.
—
n.
1. an act of helpful activity; help; aid:
to do someone a service.
2. the supplying or supplier of utilities or commodities, as water, electricity, or gas, required or demanded by the public.
3. the providing or a provider of accommodation and activities required by the public, as maintenance, repair, etc.:
The manufacturer guarantees service and parts.
4. the organized system of apparatus, appliances, employees, etc., for supplying some accommodation required by the public:
a television repair service.
5. the supplying or a supplier of public communication and transportation:
telephone service; bus service.
6. the performance of duties or the duties performed as or by a waiter or servant; occupation or employment as a waiter or servant.
7. employment in any duties or work for a person, organization, government, etc.
8. a department of public employment, an administrative division of a government, or the body of public servants in it:
the diplomatic service.
9. the duty or work of public servants.
10. the serving of a sovereign, state, or government in some official capacity.
11. Mil.
a. the armed forces:
in the service.
b. a branch of the armed forces, as the army or navy:
Which service were you in during the war?
12. Ordn.the actions required in loading and firing a cannon:
service of the piece.
13. Often,
services. the performance of any duties or work for another; helpful or professional activity:
medical services.
14. something made or done by a commercial organization for the public benefit and without regard to direct profit:
Certain books are published at a loss as a public service.
15. Also called
divine service. public religious worship according to prescribed form and order.
16. a ritual or form prescribed for public worship or for some particular occasion:
the marriage service.
17. the serving of God by obedience, piety, etc.:
voluntary service.
18. a musical setting of the sung portions of a liturgy.
19. a set of dishes, utensils, etc., for general table use or for particular use:
a tea service; service for eight.
20. See
answering service.
21. Law.the serving of a process or writ upon a person.
22. Naut.tarred spun yarn or other small stuff for covering the exterior of a rope.
23. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
a. the act or manner of putting the ball or shuttlecock into play; serve.
b. the ball or shuttlecock as put into play.
24. the mating of a female animal with the male.
25. at someone's service, ready to be of help or use to someone; at one's disposal:
You will have an English-speaking guide at your service.
26. be of service, to be helpful or useful:
If we can be of service, do not hesitate to call.
—
adj.
1. of service; useful.
2. of, pertaining to, or used by servants, delivery people, etc., or in serving food:
service stairs; the service pieces in a set of dishes.
3. supplying aids or services rather than products or goods:
Medicine is one of the service professions.
4. supplying maintenance and repair:
He operates a service center for electrical appliances.
5. of, for, or pertaining to the armed forces of a country or one of them:
a service academy.
6. charged for providing service:
a service fee of 15 percent on the restaurant check.
7. providing, authorizing, or guaranteeing service:
a service industry; a service contract.
—
v.t.
1. to make fit for use; repair; restore to condition for service:
to service an automobile.
2. to supply with aid, information, or other incidental services.
3. (of a male animal) to mate with (a female animal).
4. Finance.to pay off (a debt) over a period of time, as by meeting periodic interest payments.
serv•ice
Pronunciation: (sûr'vis), [key]—
n.
1. a service tree, esp.
Sorbus domestica.
2. the shadbush.
Ser•vice
Pronunciation: (sûr'vis), [key]—
n.
Robert W(illiam), 1874–1958, Canadian writer, born in England.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
