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services - 4 dictionary results

serv⋅ice

1  [sur-vis] noun, adjective, verb, -iced, -ic⋅ing.
Use services in a Sentence
–noun
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. Military.
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. Ordnance. 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. answering service.
21. Law. the serving of a process or writ upon a person.
22. Nautical. 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.
–adjective
25. of service; useful.
26. of, pertaining to, or used by servants, delivery people, etc., or in serving food: service stairs; the service pieces in a set of dishes.
27. supplying aids or services rather than products or goods: Medicine is one of the service professions.
28. supplying maintenance and repair: He operates a service center for electrical appliances.
29. of, for, or pertaining to the armed forces of a country or one of them: a service academy.
30. charged for providing service: a service fee of 15 percent on the restaurant check.
31. providing, authorizing, or guaranteeing service: a service industry; a service contract.
–verb (used with object)
32. to make fit for use; repair; restore to condition for service: to service an automobile.
33. to supply with aid, information, or other incidental services.
34. (of a male animal) to mate with (a female animal).
35. Finance. to pay off (a debt) over a period of time, as by meeting periodic interest payments.
—Idioms
36. 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.
37. be of service, to be helpful or useful: If we can be of service, do not hesitate to call.
Origin:
bef. 1100; ME (n.) < OF < L servitium servitude, equiv. to serv(us) slave + -itium -ice; r. ME servise, late OE serfise ceremony < OF servise, var. of service

serv⋅ice

2  [sur-vis]
–noun
1. a service tree, esp. Sorbus domestica.
2. the shadbush.
Origin:
1520–30; earlier serves, pl. of obs. serve service tree; ME; OE syrfe < VL *sorbea, deriv. of L sorbus sorb 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To services
ser·vice   (sûr'vĭs)   
n.  
    1. Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government: has been in the company's service for 15 years.
    2. A government branch or department and its employees: the diplomatic service.
    3. The armed forces of a nation: joined the service right after college.
    4. A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
    5. Work done for others as an occupation or business: has done service for us as a consultant.
    6. An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay: offers a superior service to that of his competitors; provides full catering services.
    7. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness.
    8. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
    9. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
    10. A religious rite.
    11. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    12. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
    1. The armed forces of a nation: joined the service right after college.
    2. A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
    3. Work done for others as an occupation or business: has done service for us as a consultant.
    4. An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay: offers a superior service to that of his competitors; provides full catering services.
    5. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness.
    6. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
    7. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
    8. A religious rite.
    9. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    10. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
  3. The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant: found the butler's service to be excellent.
    1. Work done for others as an occupation or business: has done service for us as a consultant.
    2. An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay: offers a superior service to that of his competitors; provides full catering services.
    3. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness.
    4. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
    5. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
    6. A religious rite.
    7. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    8. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
  5. A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care: the anesthesiology service.
  6. Installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer: a dealer with full parts and service.
  7. A facility providing the public with the use of something, such as water or transportation.
    1. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness.
    2. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
    3. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
    4. A religious rite.
    5. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    6. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
    1. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
    2. A religious rite.
    3. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    4. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
    1. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    2. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
  11. Sports The act, manner, or right of serving in many court games; a serve.
  12. Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
  13. Law The serving of a writ or summons.
  14. The material, such as cord, used in binding or wrapping rope.
  15. An answering service.
tr.v.   ser·viced, ser·vic·ing, ser·vic·es
  1. To make fit for use; adjust, repair, or maintain: service a car.
  2. To provide services to.
  3. To make interest payments on (a debt).
    1. To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
    2. Slang To have sex with.
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to the armed forces of a country.
  2. Intended for use in supplying or serving: a service elevator; the service entrance.
  3. Offering repairs or maintenance: a service guarantee; a road service area.
  4. Offering services to the public in response to need or demand: a service industry.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin servitium, slavery, from servus, slave.]
Usage Note: Aside from specialized senses in finance (service a debt) and animal breeding (service a mare), the verb service is used principally in the sense "to repair or maintain": service the washing machine. In the sense "to supply goods or services to," serve is the correct choice: One radio network serves three states.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

services

Work done for others as an occupation or business. (Compare goods.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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