Chapter C: A. Ives (4)

Sep*tif"ra*gal (?), a. [Septum + L. frangere, fractum, to break.] (Bot.) Breaking from the partitions; -- said of a method of dehiscence in which the valves of a pod break away from the partitions, and these remain attached to the common axis.

Sep`ti*lat"er*al (?), a. [Septi- + lateral.] Having seven sides; as, a septilateral figure.

Sep*til"lion (?), n. [F. septilion, formed fr. L. septem seven, in imitation of million.] According to the French method of numeration (which is followed also in the United States), the number expressed by a unit with twenty-four ciphers annexed. According to the English method, the number expressed by a unit with forty-two ciphers annexed. See Numeration.

Sep"ti*mole (?), n. [L. septem seven.] (Mus.) A group of seven notes to be played in the time of four or six.

Sep*tin"su*lar (?), a. [Septi- + insular.] Consisting of seven islands; as, the septinsular republic of the Ionian Isles.

Sep"ti*syl`la*ble (?), n. [Septi- + syllable.] A word of seven syllables.

Sep*to"ic (?), a. [L. septem seven.] (Chem.) See Heptoic. [R.]

Sep`to*max"il*la*ry (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the nasal septum and the maxilla; situated in the region of these parts. -- n. A small bone between the nasal septum and the maxilla in many reptiles and amphibians.

Sep`tu*a*ge*na"ri*an (?), n. A person who is seventy years of age; a septuagenary.

Sep`tu*ag"e*na*ry (?), a. [L. septuagenarius, fr. septuageny seventy each; akin to septuaginta seventy, septem seven. See Seven.] Consisting of seventy; also, seventy years old. -- n. A septuagenarian.

||Sep`tu*a*ges"i*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. L. septuagesimus the seventieth, ||fr. septuaginta seventy.] (Eccl.) The third Sunday before Lent; -- so ||called because it is about seventy days before Easter.

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Sep`tu*a*ges"i*mal (?), a. Consisting of seventy days, years, etc.; reckoned by seventies.

Our abridged and septuagesimal age.

Sir T. Browne.

Sep"tu*a*gint (?), n. [From L. septuaginta seventy.] A Greek version of the Old Testament; -- so called because it was believed to be the work of seventy (or rather of seventy-two) translators.

The causes which produced it [the Septuagint], the number and names of the translators, the times at which different portions were translated, are all uncertain. The only point in which all agree is that Alexandria was the birthplace of the version. On one other point there is a near agreement, namely, as to time, that the version was made, or at least commenced, in the time of the early Ptolemies, in the first half of the third century b.c. Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.)

Septuagint chronology, the chronology founded upon the dates of the Septuagint, which makes 1500 years more from the creation to Abraham than the Hebrew Bible.

Sep"tu*a*ry (?), n. [L. septem seven.] Something composed of seven; a week. [R.] Ash.

Sep"tu*late (?), a. [Dim. fr. septum.] (Bot.) Having imperfect or spurious septa.

||Sep"tu*lum (?), n.; pl. Septula (#). [NL., dim. of L. septum septum.] ||(Anat.) A little septum; a division between small cavities or parts.

||Sep"tum (?), n.; pl. Septa (#). [L. septum, saeptum, an inclosure, ||hedge, fence, fr. sepire, saepire, to hedge in, inclose.] 1. A wall ||separating two cavities; a partition; as, the nasal septum.

2. (Bot.) A partition that separates the cells of a fruit.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the radial calcareous plates of a coral. (b) One of the transverse partitions dividing the shell of a mollusk, or of a rhizopod, into several chambers. See Illust. under Nautilus. (c) One of the transverse partitions dividing the body cavity of an annelid.

Sep"tu*or (?), n. [F.] (Mus.) A septet.

Sep"tu*ple (?), a. [LL. septuplus; cf. Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;:cf. F. septuple. Cf. Double, Quadruple.] Seven times as much; multiplied by seven; sevenfold.

Sep"tu*ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Septupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Septupling (?).] To multiply by seven; to make sevenfold. Sir J. Herschel.

{ Sep"ul*cher, Sep"ul*chre } (?), n. [OE. sepulcre, OF. sepulcre, F. sépulcre, fr. L. sepulcrum, sepulchrum, fr. sepelire to bury.] The place in which the dead body of a human being is interred, or a place set apart for that purpose; a grave; a tomb.

The stony entrance of this sepulcher.

Shak.

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was
yet dark, unto the sepulcher.

John xx. 1.

A whited sepulcher. Fig.: Any person who is fair outwardly but unclean or vile within. See Matt. xxiii. 27.

{ Sep"ul*cher, Sep"ul*chre } (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sepulchered (?) or Sepulchred (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Sepulchering (?) or Sepulchring (&?;).] To bury; to inter; to entomb; as, obscurely sepulchered.

And so sepulchered in such pomp dost lie That kings for such a tomb
would wish to die.

Milton.

Se*pul"chral (?), a. [L. sepulcralis: cf. F. sépulcral.] 1. Of or pertaining to burial, to the grave, or to monuments erected to the memory of the dead; as, a sepulchral stone; a sepulchral inscription.

2. Unnaturally low and grave; hollow in tone; -- said of sound, especially of the voice.

This exaggerated dulling of the voice . . . giving what is commonly
called a sepulchral tone.

H. Sweet.

Sep"ul*ture (?), n. [F. sépulture, L. sepultura, fr. sepelire, sepultum, to bury.] 1. The act of depositing the dead body of a human being in the grave; burial; interment.

Where we may royal sepulture prepare.

Dryden.

2. A sepulcher; a grave; a place of burial.

Drunkeness that is the horrible sepulture of man's reason.

Chaucer.

Se*qua"cious (?), a. [L. sequax, -acis, fr. suquit to follow. See Sue to follow. ] 1. Inclined to follow a leader; following; attendant.

Trees uprooted left their place, Sequacious of the lyre.

Dryden.

2. Hence, ductile; malleable; pliant; manageable.

In the greater bodies the forge was easy, the matter being ductile
and sequacious.

Ray.

3. Having or observing logical sequence; logically consistent and rigorous; consecutive in development or transition of thought.

The scheme of pantheistic omniscience so prevalent among the
sequacious thinkers of the day.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Milton was not an extensive or discursive thinker, as Shakespeare
was; for the motions of his mind were slow, solemn, and sequacious,
like those of the planets.

De Quincey.

Se*qua"cious*ness, n. Quality of being sequacious.

Se*quac"i*ty (?), n. [L. sequacitas.] Quality or state of being sequacious; sequaciousness. Bacon.

Se"quel (s"kwl), n. [L. sequela, fr. sequit to follow: cf. F. séquelle a following. See Sue to follow.] 1. That which follows; a succeeding part; continuation; as, the sequel of a man's advantures or history.

O, let me say no more! Gather the sequel by that went before.

Shak.

2. Consequence; event; effect; result; as, let the sun cease, fail, or swerve, and the sequel would be ruin.

3. Conclusion; inference. [R.] Whitgift.

||Se*que"la (?), n.; pl. Sequelæ (#). [L., a follower, a result, from ||sequit to follow.] One who, or that which, follows. Specifically: (a) ||An adherent, or a band or sect of adherents. "Coleridge and his ||sequela." G. P. Marsh. (b) That which follows as the logical result ||of reasoning; inference; conclusion; suggestion.

Sequelæ, or thoughts suggested by the preceding aphorisms.

Coleridge.

(c) (Med.) A morbid phenomenon left as the result of a disease; a disease resulting from another.

Se"quence (s"kwens), n. [F. séquence, L. sequentia, fr. sequens. See Sequent.] 1. The state of being sequent; succession; order of following; arrangement.

How art thou a king But by fair sequence and succession?

Shak.

Sequence and series of the seasons of the year.

Bacon.

2. That which follows or succeeds as an effect; sequel; consequence; result.

The inevitable sequences of sin and punishment.

Bp. Hall.

3. (Philos.) Simple succession, or the coming after in time, without asserting or implying causative energy; as, the reactions of chemical agents may be conceived as merely invariable sequences.

4. (Mus.) (a) Any succession of chords (or harmonic phrase) rising or falling by the regular diatonic degrees in the same scale; a succession of similar harmonic steps. (b) A melodic phrase or passage successively repeated one tone higher; a rosalia.

5. (R.C.Ch.) A hymn introduced in the Mass on certain festival days, and recited or sung immediately before the gospel, and after the gradual or introit, whence the name. Bp. Fitzpatrick.

Originally the sequence was called a Prose, because its early form
was rhythmical prose.

Shipley.

6. (Card Playing) (a) (Whist) Three or more cards of the same suit in immediately consecutive order of value; as, ace, king, and queen; or knave, ten, nine, and eight. (b) (Poker) All five cards, of a hand, in consecutive order as to value, but not necessarily of the same suit; when of one suit, it is called a sequence flush.

Se"quent (?), a. [L. sequens, -entis, p. pr. of sequi to follow. See Sue to follow.] 1. Following; succeeding; in continuance.

What to this was sequent Thou knowest already.

Shak.

2. Following as an effect; consequent.

Se"quent, n. 1. A follower. [R.] Shak.

2. That which follows as a result; a sequence.

Se*quen"tial (?), a. Succeeding or following in order. -- Se*quen"tial*ly, adv.

Se*ques"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sequestered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sequestering.] [F. séquestrer, L. sequestrare to give up for safe keeping, from sequester a depositary or trustee in whose hands the thing contested was placed until the dispute was settled. Cf. Sequestrate.] 1. (Law) To separate from the owner for a time; to take from parties in controversy and put into the possession of an indifferent person; to seize or take possession of, as property belonging to another, and hold it till the profits have paid the demand for which it is taken, or till the owner has performed the decree of court, or clears himself of contempt; in international law, to confiscate.

Formerly the goods of a defendant in chancery were, in the last
resort, sequestered and detained to enforce the decrees of the
court. And now the profits of a benefice are sequestered to pay the
debts of ecclesiastics.

Blackstone.

2. To cause (one) to submit to the process of sequestration; to deprive (one) of one's estate, property, etc.

It was his tailor and his cook, his fine fashions and his French
ragouts, which sequestered him.

South.

3. To set apart; to put aside; to remove; to separate from other things.

I had wholly sequestered my civil affairss.

Bacon.

4. To cause to retire or withdraw into obscurity; to seclude; to withdraw; -- often used reflexively.

When men most sequester themselves from action.

Hooker.

A love and desire to sequester a man's self for a higher
conversation.

Bacon.

Se*ques"ter, v. i. 1. To withdraw; to retire. [Obs.]

To sequester out of the world into Atlantic and Utopian politics.

Milton.

2. (Law) To renounce (as a widow may) any concern with the estate of her husband.

Se*ques"ter, n. 1. Sequestration; separation. [R.]

2. (Law) A person with whom two or more contending parties deposit the subject matter of the controversy; one who mediates between two parties; a mediator; an umpire or referee. Bouvier.

3. (Med.) Same as Sequestrum.

Se*ques"tered (?), a. Retired; secluded. "Sequestered scenes." Cowper.

Along the cool, sequestered vale of life.

Gray.

Se*ques"tra*ble (?), a. Capable of being sequestered; subject or liable to sequestration.

Se*ques"tral (?), a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to a sequestrum. Quian.

Se*ques"trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sequestrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Sequestrating.] To sequester.

Seq`ues*tra"tion (?), n. [L. sequestratio: cf. F. séquestration.] 1. (a) (Civil & Com. Law) The act of separating, or setting aside, a thing in controversy from the possession of both the parties that contend for it, to be delivered to the one adjudged entitled to it. It may be voluntary or involuntary. (b) (Chancery) A prerogative process empowering certain commissioners to take and hold a defendant's property and receive the rents and profits thereof, until he clears himself of a contempt or performs a decree of the court. (c) (Eccl. Law) A kind of execution for a rent, as in the case of a beneficed clerk, of the profits of a benefice, till he shall have satisfied some debt established by decree; the gathering up of the fruits of a benefice during a vacancy, for the use of the next incumbent; the disposing of the goods, by the ordinary, of one who is dead, whose estate no man will meddle with. Craig. Tomlins. Wharton. (d) (Internat. Law) The seizure of the property of an individual for the use of the state; particularly applied to the seizure, by a belligerent power, of debts due from its subjects to the enemy. Burrill.

2. The state of being separated or set aside; separation; retirement; seclusion from society.

Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign, . . . This loathsome
sequestration have I had.

Shak.

3. Disunion; disjunction. [Obs.] Boyle.

Seq"ues*tra`tor (?), n. [L., one that hinders or impedes.] (Law) (a) One who sequesters property, or takes the possession of it for a time, to satisfy a demand out of its rents or profits. (b) One to whom the keeping of sequestered property is committed.

||Se*ques"trum (?), n.; pl. Sequestra (#). [NL. See Sequester.] (Med.) ||A portion of dead bone which becomes separated from the sound ||portion, as in necrosis.

Se"quin (?), n. [F. sequin, It. zecchino, from zecca the mint, fr. Ar. sekkah, sikkah, a die, a stamp. Cf. Zechin.] An old gold coin of Italy and Turkey. It was first struck at Venice about the end of the 13th century, and afterward in the other Italian cities, and by the Levant trade was introduced into Turkey. It is worth about 9s. 3d. sterling, or about $2.25. The different kinds vary somewhat in value. [Written also chequin, and zequin.]

Se*quoi"a (?), n. [NL. So called by Dr. Endlicher in honor of Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee alphabet.] (Bot.) A genus of coniferous trees, consisting of two species, Sequoia Washingtoniana, syn. S. gigantea, the "big tree" of California, and S. sempervirens, the redwood, both of which attain an immense height.

Se*quoi"ëne (?), n. (Chem.) A hydrocarbon (C13H10) obtained in white fluorescent crystals, in the distillation products of the needles of the California "big tree" (Sequoia gigantea).

Se*ragl"io (?), n. [It. serraglio, originally, an inclosure of palisades, afterwards also, a palace, seraglio (by confusion with Per. serïa a palace, an entirely different word), fr. serrare to shut, fr. LL. serra a bar for fastening doors, L. sera. See Serry, Series.] 1. An inclosure; a place of separation. [Obs.]

I went to the Ghetto, where the Jews dwell as in a suburb, by
themselves. I passed by the piazza Judea, where their seraglio
begins.

Evelyn.

2. The palace of the Grand Seignior, or Turkish sultan, at Constantinople, inhabited by the sultan himself, and all the officers and dependents of his court. In it are also kept the females of the harem.

3. A harem; a place for keeping wives or concubines; sometimes, loosely, a place of licentious pleasure; a house of debauchery.

||Se*ra"i (?), n. [Per. serï, or sarï, a palace, a king's court, a ||seraglio, an inn. Cf. Caravansary.] A palace; a seraglio; also, in ||the East, a place for the accommodation of travelers; a caravansary, ||or rest house.

Ser`al*bu"men (?), n. (Physiol. CHem.) Serum albumin.

||Se*rang" (?), n. [Per. sarhang a commander.] The boatswain of a ||Lascar or East Ondian crew.

||Se*ra"pe (?), n. [Sp. Amer. sarape.] A blanket or shawl worn as an ||outer garment by the Spanish Americans, as in Mexico.

Ser"aph (?), n.; pl. E. Seraphs (#), Heb. Seraphim (#). [Heb. serphim, pl.] One of an order of celestial beings, each having three pairs of wings. In ecclesiastical art and in poetry, a seraph is represented as one of a class of angels. Isa. vi. 2.

As full, as perfect, in vile man that mourns, As the rapt seraph
that adores and burns.

Pope.

Seraph moth (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of geometrid moths of the genus Lobophora, having the hind wings deeply bilobed, so that they seem to have six wings.

{ Se*raph"ic (?), Se*raph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. séraphique.] Of or pertaining to a seraph; becoming, or suitable to, a seraph; angelic; sublime; pure; refined. "Seraphic arms and trophies." Milton. "Seraphical fervor." Jer. Taylor. -- Se*raph"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Se*raph"ic*al*ness, n.

Se*raph"i*cism (?), n. The character, quality, or state of a seraph; seraphicalness. [R.] Cudworth.

Ser"a*phim (?), n. The Hebrew plural of Seraph. Cf. Cherubim.

The double plural form seraphims is sometimes used, as in the King James version of the Bible, Isa. vi. 2 and 6.

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Ser`a*phi"na (?), n. [NL.] A seraphine.

Ser"a*phine (?), n. [From Seraph.] (Mus.) A wind instrument whose sounding parts are reeds, consisting of a thin tongue of brass playing freely through a slot in a plate. It has a case, like a piano, and is played by means of a similar keybord, the bellows being worked by the foot. The melodeon is a portable variety of this instrument.

||Se*ra"pis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;&?;&?;, &?;&?;&?;.] (Myth.) An ||Egyptian deity, at first a symbol of the Nile, and so of fertility; ||later, one of the divinities of the lower world. His worship was ||introduced into Greece and Rome.

Se*ras"kier (?), n. [Turk., fr. Per. ser head, chief + Ar. 'asker an army.] A general or commander of land forces in the Turkish empire; especially, the commander-in-chief of minister of war.

Se*ras"kier*ate (?), n. The office or authority of a seraskier.

Ser*bo"ni*an (?), a. Relating to the lake of Serbonis in Egypt, which by reason of the sand blowing into it had a deceptive appearance of being solid land, but was a bog.

A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog . . . Where armies whole have
sunk.

Milton.

Sere (?), a. Dry; withered. Same as Sear.

But with its sound it shook the sails That were so thin and sere.

Coleridge.

Sere, n. [F. serre.] Claw; talon. [Obs.] Chapman.

||Se*rein" (?), n. [F. Cf. Serenade, n.] (Meteorol.) A mist, or very ||fine rain, which sometimes falls from a clear sky a few moments after ||sunset. Tyndall.

Ser`e*nade" (?), n. [F. sérénade, It. serenata, probably fr. L. serenus serene (cf. Serene), misunderstood as a derivative fr. L. serus late. Cf. Soirée.] (Mus.) (a) Music sung or performed in the open air at nights; -- usually applied to musical entertainments given in the open air at night, especially by gentlemen, in a spirit of gallantry, under the windows of ladies. (b) A piece of music suitable to be performed at such times.

Ser`e*nade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Serenaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Serenading.] To entertain with a serenade.

Ser`e*nade", v. i. To perform a serenade.

Ser`e*nad"er (?), n. One who serenades.

{ Ser`e*na"ta (?), Ser"e*nate (?), } n. [It. serenata. See Serenade.] (Mus.) A piece of vocal music, especially one on an amoreus subject; a serenade.

Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his pround fair.

Milton.

The name serenata was given by Italian composers in the time of Handel, and by Handel himself, to a cantata of a pastoreal of dramatic character, to a secular ode, etc.; also by Mozart and others to an orchectral composition, in several movements, midway between the suite of an earlier period and the modern symphony. Grove.

Se*rene" (?), a. [L. serenus to grow dry, Gr. &?;&?;&?; hot, scorching.] 1. Bright; clear; unabscured; as, a serene sky.

The moon serene in glory mounts the sky.

Pope.

Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathomed caves of
ocean bear.

Gray.

2. Calm; placid; undisturbed; unruffled; as, a serene aspect; a serene soul. Milton.

In several countries of Europe, Serene is given as a tittle to princes and the members of their families; as, His Serene Highness.

Drop serene. (Med.) See Amaurosis. Milton.

Se*rene", n. 1. Serenity; clearness; calmness. [Poetic.] "The serene of heaven." Southey.

To their master is denied To share their sweet serene.

Young.

2. [F. serein evening dew or damp. See Serein.] Evening air; night chill. [Obs.] "Some serene blast me." B. Jonson.

Se*rene", v. t. [L. serenare.] To make serene.

Heaven and earth, as if contending, vie To raise his being, and
serene his soul.

Thomson.

Se*rene"ly, adv. 1. In a serene manner; clearly.

Now setting Phœbus shone serenely bright.

Pope.

2. With unruffled temper; coolly; calmly. Prior.

Se*rene"ness, n. Serenity. Feltham.

Se*ren"i*tude (?), n. Serenity. [Obs.]

Se*ren"i*ty (?), n. [L. serenuas: cf. F. sérénité.] 1. The quality or state of being serene; clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace.

A general peace and serenity newly succeeded a general trouble.

Sir W. Temple.

2. Calmness of mind; eveness of temper; undisturbed state; coolness; composure.

I can not see how any men should ever transgress those moral rules
with confidence and serenity.

Locke.

Serenity is given as a title to the members of certain princely families in Europe; as, Your Serenity.

Serf (?), n. [F., fr. L. serus servant, slave; akin to servare to protect, preserve, observe, and perhaps originally, a client, a man under one's protection. Cf. Serve, v. t.] A servant or slave employed in husbandry, and in some countries attached to the soil and transferred with it, as formerly in Russia.

In England, at least from the reign of Henry II, one only, and that
the inferior species [of villeins], existed . . . But by the
customs of France and Germany, persons in this abject state seem to
have been called serfs, and distinguished from villeins, who were
only bound to fixed payments and duties in respect of their lord,
though, as it seems, without any legal redress if injured by him.

Hallam.

Syn. -- Serf, Slave. A slave is the absolute property of his master, and may be sold in any way. A serf, according to the strict sense of the term, is one bound to work on a certain estate, and thus attached to the soil, and sold with it into the service of whoever purchases the land.

{ Serf"age (?), Serf"dom (?) }, n. The state or condition of a serf.

Serf"hood (?), Serf"ism (&?;), n. Serfage.

Serge (?), n. [F. serge, sarge, originally, a silken stuff, fr. L. serica, f. or neut. pl. of sericus silken. See Sericeous, Silk.] A woolen twilled stuff, much used as material for clothing for both sexes.

Silk serge, a twilled silk fabric used mostly by tailors for lining parts of gentlemen's coats.

Serge, n. [F. cierge.] A large wax candle used in the ceremonies of various churches.

Ser"gean*cy (?), n.; pl. Sergeancies (#). [Cf. Sergeanty.] The office of a sergeant; sergeantship. [Written also serjeancy.]

Ser"geant (?), n. [F. sergent, fr. L. serviens, -entis, p. pr. of servire to serve. See Serve, and cf. Servant.] [Written also serjeant. Both spellings are authorized. In England serjeant is usually preferred, except for military officers. In the United States sergeant is common for civil officers also.] 1. Formerly, in England, an officer nearly answering to the more modern bailiff of the hundred; also, an officer whose duty was to attend on the king, and on the lord high steward in court, to arrest traitors and other offenders. He is now called sergeant-at-arms, and two of these officers, by allowance of the sovereign, attend on the houses of Parliament (one for each house) to execute their commands, and another attends the Court Chancery.

The sergeant of the town of Rome them sought.

Chaucer.

The magistrates sent the serjeant, saying, Let those men go.

Acts xvi. 35.

This fell sergeant, Death, Is strict in his arrest.

Shak.

2. (Mil.) In a company, battery, or troop, a noncommissioned officer next in rank above a corporal, whose duty is to instruct recruits in discipline, to form the ranks, etc.

In the United States service, besides the sergeants belonging to the companies there are, in each regiment, a sergeant major, who is the chief noncommissioned officer, and has important duties as the assistant to the adjutant; a quartermaster sergeant, who assists the quartermaster; a color sergeant, who carries the colors; and a commissary sergeant, who assists in the care and distribution of the stores. Ordnance sergeants have charge of the ammunition at military posts.

3. (Law) A lawyer of the highest rank, answering to the doctor of the civil law; -- called also serjeant at law. [Eng.] Blackstone.

4. A title sometimes given to the servants of the sovereign; as, sergeant surgeon, that is, a servant, or attendant, surgeon. [Eng.]

5. (Zoöl.) The cobia.

Drill sergeant. (Mil.) See under Drill. -- Sergeant-at-arms, an officer of a legislative body, or of a deliberative or judicial assembly, who executes commands in preserving order and arresting offenders. See Sergeant, 1. -- Sergeant major. (a) (Mil.) See the Note under def. 2, above. (b) (Zoöl.) The cow pilot.

Ser"geant*cy (?), n. Same as Sergeancy.

Ser"geant*ry (?), n. [CF. OF. sergenteric.] See Sergeanty. [R.] [Written also serjeantry.]

Ser"geant*ship, n. The office of sergeant.

Ser"geant*y (?), n. [Cf. OF. sergentie, LL. sergentia. See Sergeant.] (Eng. Law) Tenure of lands of the crown by an honorary kind of service not due to any lord, but to the king only. [Written also serjeanty.]

Grand sergeanty, a particular kind of tenure by which the tenant was bound to do some special honorary service to the king in person, as to carry his banner, his sword, or the like. Tomlins. Cowell. Blackstone. -- Petit sergeanty. See under Petit.

Se"ri*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication. "Classification . . . may be more or less serial." H. Spencer.

2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to rows. Gray.

Serial homology. (Biol.) See under Homology. -- Serial symmetry. (Biol.) See under Symmetry.

Se"ri*al, n. A publication appearing in a series or succession of part; a tale, or other writing, published in successive numbers of a periodical.

Se`ri*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of succession in a series; sequence. H. Spenser.

Se"ri*al*ly, adv. In a series, or regular order; in a serial manner; as, arranged serially; published serially.

Se"ri*ate (?), a. Arranged in a series or succession; pertaining to a series. -- Se"ri*ate*ly, adv.

Se`ri*a"tim (?), adv. [NL.] In regular order; one after the other; severally.

Se`ri*a"tion (?), n. (Chem.) Arrangement or position in a series.

Se*ri"ceous (?), a. [L. sericus silken, sericum Seric stuff, silk, fr. Sericus belonging to the Seres, Gr. &?;&?;&?;, a people of Eastern Asia, the modern Chinese, celebrated for their silken fabrics. Cf. Silk, Serge a woolen stuff.] 1. Of or pertaining to silk; consisting of silk; silky.

2. (Bot.) Covered with very soft hairs pressed close to the surface; as, a sericeous leaf.

3. (Zoöl.) Having a silklike luster, usually due to fine, close hairs.

Ser"i*cin (?), n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.) A gelatinous nitrogenous material extracted from crude silk and other similar fiber by boiling water; -- called also silk gelatin.

Ser"i*cite (?), n. [L. sericus silken.] (Min.) A kind of muscovite occuring in silky scales having a fibrous structure. It is characteristic of sericite schist.

||Ser`ic*te"ri*um (?), n. [See Sericeous.] (Zoöl.) A silk gland, as in ||the silkworms.

Ser"i*cul`ture (?), n. [See Sericeous, and Culture.] The raising of silkworms.

Se"rie (?), n. [Cf. F. série.] Series. [Obs.]

||Ser`i*e"ma (?), n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) A large South American bird ||(Dicholophus, or Cariama cristata) related to the cranes. It is often ||domesticated. Called also cariama.

Se"ries (?), n. [L. series, fr. serere, sertum, to join or bind together; cf. Gr. &?;&?;&?; to fasten, Skr. sarit thread. Cf. Assert, Desert a solitude, Exert, Insert, Seraglio.] 1. A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.

During some years his life a series of triumphs.

Macaulay.

2. (Biol.) Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.

Sometimes a series includes several classes; sometimes only orders or families; in other cases only species.

3. (Math.) An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.

Ser"in (?), n. [F. serin.] (Zoöl.) A European finch (Serinus hortulanus) closely related to the canary.

Ser"ine (?), n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.) A white crystalline nitrogenous substance obtained by the action of dilute sulphuric acid on silk gelatin.

{ Se`ri*o-com"ic (?), Se`ri*o-com"ic*al (?), } a. Having a mixture of seriousness and sport; serious and comical.

Se"ri*ous (?), a. [L. serius: cf. F. sérieux, LL. seriosus.] 1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.

He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful
ease.

Macaulay.

2. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving. Beaconsfield.

3. Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.

The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in
the world.

Young.

4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious injury.

Syn. -- Grave; solemn; earnest; sedate; important; weighty. See Grave.

-- Se"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Se"ri*ous*ness, n.

Ser"iph (?), n. (Type Founding) See Ceriph.

{ Ser"jeant (?), Ser"jeant*cy, etc. } See Sergeant, Sergeantcy, etc.

Serjeant-at-arms. See Sergeant-at- arms, under Sergeant.

Ser*moc`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. sermocinatio. See Sermon.] The making of speeches or sermons; sermonizing. [Obs.] Peacham.

Ser*moc"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who makes sermons or speeches. [Obs.] Howell.

Ser"mon (?), n. [OE. sermoun, sermun, F. sermon, fr. L. sermo, -onis, a speaking, discourse, probably fr. serer, sertum, to join, connect; hence, a connected speech. See Series.] 1. A discourse or address; a talk; a writing; as, the sermons of Chaucer. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Specifically, a discourse delivered in public, usually by a clergyman, for the purpose of religious instruction and grounded on some text or passage of Scripture.

This our life exempt from public haunts Finds tongues in trees,
books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones and good in
everything.

Shak.

His preaching much, but more his practice, wrought, A living sermon
of the truths he taught.

Dryden.

3. Hence, a serious address; a lecture on one's conduct or duty; an exhortation or reproof; a homily; -- often in a depreciatory sense.

Ser"mon, v. i. [Cf. OF. sermoner, F. sermonner to lecture one.] To speak; to discourse; to compose or deliver a sermon. [Obs.] Holinshed.

What needeth it to sermon of it more?

Chaucer.

Ser"mon, v. t. 1. To discourse to or of, as in a sermon. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To tutor; to lecture. [Poetic] Shak.

Ser`mon*eer" (?), n. A sermonizer. B. Jonson.

Ser"mon*er (?), n. A preacher; a sermonizer. [Derogative or Jocose.] Thackeray.

Ser`mon*et" (?), n. A short sermon. [Written also sermonette.]

{ Ser*mon"ic (?), Ser*mon"ic*al (?), } a. Like, or appropriate to, a sermon; grave and didactic. [R.] "Conversation . . . satirical or sermonic." Prof. Wilson. "Sermonical style." V. Knox.

Ser"mon*ing (?), n. The act of discoursing; discourse; instruction; preaching. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ser"mon*ish, a. Resembling a sermon. [R.]

Ser"mon*ist, n. See Sermonizer.

Ser"mon*ize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sermonized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sermonizing (?).] 1. To compose or write a sermon or sermons; to preach.

2. To inculcate rigid rules. [R.] Chesterfield.

Ser"mon*ize, v. t. To preach or discourse to; to affect or influence by means of a sermon or of sermons. [R.]

Which of us shall sing or sermonize the other fast asleep?

Landor.

Ser"mon*i`zer (?), n. One who sermonizes.

Ser"o*lin (?), n. [Serum + L. oleum oil.] (Physiol. Chem.) (a) A peculiar fatty substance found in the blood, probably a mixture of fats, cholesterin, etc. (b) A body found in fecal matter and thought to be formed in the intestines from the cholesterin of the bile; -- called also stercorin, and stercolin.

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{ Se*ron" (?), Se*roon" (?), } n. [Sp. seron a kind of hamper or pannier, aug. of sera a large pannier or basket.] Same as Ceroon.

This word as expressing a quantity or weight has no definite signification. McElrath.

Se"rose` (?), a. Serous. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Se*ros"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. serosité. See Serous.] 1. The quality or state of being serous.

2. (Physiol.) A thin watery animal fluid, as synovial fluid and pericardial fluid.

Ser"o*tine (?), n. [F. sérotine, fr. L. serotinus that comes or happens late.] (Zoöl.) The European long-eared bat (Vesperugo serotinus).

Se*rot"i*nous (?), a. [L. serotinus, fr. serus late.] (Biol.) Appearing or blossoming later in the season than is customary with allied species.

Se"rous (?), a. [Cf. F. séreux. See Serum.] (Physiol.) (a) Thin; watery; like serum; as the serous fluids. (b) Of or pertaining to serum; as, the serous glands, membranes, layers. See Serum.

Serous membrane. (Anat.) See under Membrane.

{ Ser"ow (?), Sur"row (?), } n. (Zoöl.) The thar.

||Ser"pens (?), n. [L. See Serpent.] (Astron.) A constellation ||represented as a serpent held by Serpentarius.

Ser"pent (?), n. [F., fr. L. serpens, -entis (sc. bestia), fr. serpens, p. pr. of serpere to creep; akin to Gr. &?;&?;&?;, Skr. sarp, and perhaps to L. repere, E. reptile. Cf. Herpes.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any reptile of the order Ophidia; a snake, especially a large snake. See Illust. under Ophidia.

The serpents are mostly long and slender, and move partly by bending the body into undulations or folds and pressing them against objects, and partly by using the free edges of their ventral scales to cling to rough surfaces. Many species glide swiftly over the ground, some burrow in the earth, others live in trees. A few are entirely aquatic, and swim rapidly. See Ophidia, and Fang.

2. Fig.: A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.

3. A species of firework having a serpentine motion as it passess through the air or along the ground.

4. (Astron.) The constellation Serpens.

5. (Mus.) A bass wind instrument, of a loud and coarse tone, formerly much used in military bands, and sometimes introduced into the orchestra; -- so called from its form.

Pharaoh's serpent (Chem.), mercuric sulphocyanate, a combustible white substance which in burning gives off a poisonous vapor and leaves a peculiar brown voluminous residue which is expelled in a serpentine from. It is employed as a scientific toy. -- Serpent cucumber (Bot.), the long, slender, serpentine fruit of the cucurbitaceous plant Trichosanthes colubrina; also, the plant itself. -- Serpent eage (Zoöl.), any one of several species of raptorial birds of the genera Circaëtus and Spilornis, which prey on serpents. They inhabit Africa, Southern Europe, and India. The European serpent eagle is Circaëtus Gallicus. -- Serpent eater. (Zoöl.) (a) The secretary bird. (b) An Asiatic antelope; the markhoor. -- Serpent fish (Zoöl.), a fish (Cepola rubescens) with a long, thin, compressed body, and a band of red running lengthwise. -- Serpent star (Zoöl.), an ophiuran; a brittle star. -- Serpent's tongue (Paleon.), the fossil tooth of a shark; -- so called from its resemblance to a tongue with its root. -- Serpent withe (Bot.), a West Indian climbing plant (Aristolochia odoratissima). -- Tree serpent (Zoöl.), any species of African serpents belonging to the family Dendrophidæ.

Ser"pent, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Serpented; p. pr. & vb. n. Serpenting.] To wind like a serpent; to crook about; to meander. [R.] "The serpenting of the Thames." Evelyn.

Ser"pent, v. t. To wind; to encircle. [R.] Evelyn.

||Ser`pen*ta"ri*a (?), a.[L. (sc. herba), fr. serpens serpent.] (Med.) ||The fibrous aromatic root of the Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia ||Serpentaria).

||Ser`pen*ta"ri*us (?), n.[NL., fr. L. serpens serpent.] (Astron.) A ||constellation on the equator, lying between Scorpio and Hercules; -- ||called also Ophiuchus.

Ser*pen"ti*form (?), a. [L. serpens a serpent + -form.] Having the form of a serpent.

Ser`pen*tig"e*nous (?), a. [L. serpens, -entis, a serpent + -genous: cf. L. serpentigena.] Bred of a serpent.

Ser"pen*tine (?), a. [L. serpentinus: cf. F. serpentin.] Resembling a serpent; having the shape or qualities of a serpent; subtle; winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; meandering; sinuous; zigzag; as, serpentine braid.

Thy shape Like his, and color serpentine.

Milton.

Ser"pen*tine, n. [Cf. (for sense 1) F. serpentine, (for sense 2) serpentin.] 1. (Min.) A mineral or rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia. It is usually of an obscure green color, often with a spotted or mottled appearance resembling a serpent's skin. Precious, or noble, serpentine is translucent and of a rich oil-green color.

Serpentine has been largely produced by the alteration of other minerals, especially of chrysolite.

2. (Ordnance) A kind of ancient cannon.

Ser"pen*tine, v. i. To serpentize. [R.] Lyttleton.

Ser"pen*tine*ly, adv. In a serpentine manner.

Ser`pen*tin"i*an (?), n. (Eccl.) See 2d Ophite.

Ser"pen*tin*ize (?), v. t. (Min.) To convert (a magnesian silicate) into serpentine. -- Ser`pen*tin`i*za"tion (#), n.

Ser"pen*ti`nous (?), a. Relating to, or like, serpentine; as, a rock serpentinous in character.

Ser"pent*ize (?), v. i. To turn or bend like a serpent, first in one direction and then in the opposite; to meander; to wind; to serpentine. [R.]

The river runs before the door, and serpentizes more than you can
conceive.

Walpole.

Ser"pent*ry (?), n. 1. A winding like a serpent's.

2. A place inhabited or infested by serpents.

Ser"pent-tongued` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a forked tongue, like a serpent.

Ser"pet (?), n. [L. sirpus, scirpus, a rush, bulrush.] A basket. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

||Ser*pette" (?), n. [F.] A pruning knife with a curved blade. Knight.

Ser*pig"i*nous (?), a. [Cf. F. serpigineux.] (Med.) Creeping; -- said of lesions which heal over one portion while continuing to advance at another.

||Ser*pi"go (?), n. [LL., fr. L. serpere to creep.] (Med.) A dry, scaly ||eruption on the skin; especially, a ringworm.

Ser"po*let (?), n. [F.] (Bot.) Wild thyme.

||Ser"pu*la (?), n.; pl. Serpulæ (#), E. Serpulas (#). [L., a little ||snake. See Serpent.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of ||tubicolous annelids of the genus Serpula and allied genera of the ||family Serpulidæ. They secrete a calcareous tube, which is usually ||irregularly contorted, but is sometimes spirally coiled. The worm has ||a wreath of plumelike and often bright-colored gills around its head, ||and usually an operculum to close the aperture of its tube when it ||retracts.

{ Ser*pu"li*an (?), Ser*pu"li*dan (?), } n. (Zoöl.) A serpula.

Ser"pu*lite (?), n. A fossil serpula shell.

Serr (?), v. t. [F. serrer. See Serry.] To crowd, press, or drive together. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ser*ra"noid (?), n. [NL. Serranus, a typical genus (fr. L. serra a saw) + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Any fish of the family Serranidæ, which includes the striped bass, the black sea bass, and many other food fishes. -- a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Serranidæ.

{ Ser"rate (?), Ser"ra*ted (?), } a. [L. serratus, fr. serra a saw; perhaps akin to secare to cut, E. saw a cutting instrument. Cf. Sierra.] 1. Notched on the edge, like a saw.

2. (Bot.) Beset with teeth pointing forwards or upwards; as, serrate leaves.

Doubly serrate, having small serratures upon the large ones, as the leaves of the elm. -- Serrate- ciliate, having fine hairs, like the eyelashes, on the serratures; -- said of a leaf. -- Serrate- dentate, having the serratures toothed.

Ser*ra"tion (?), n. 1. Condition of being serrate; formation in the shape of a saw.

2. One of the teeth in a serrate or serrulate margin.

Ser*ra`ti*ros"tral (?), a. [Serrate + rostral.] (Zoöl.) Having a toothed bill, like that of a toucan.

Ser*ra"tor (?), n. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The ivory gull (Larus eburneus).

Ser"ra*ture (?), n. [L. serratura a sawing, fr. serrare to saw.] 1. A notching, like that between the teeth of a saw, in the edge of anything. Martyn.

2. One of the teeth in a serrated edge; a serration.

Ser"ri*ca`ted (?), a. [See Sericeous.] Covered with fine silky down.

Ser"ri*corn (?), a. [L. serra saw + cornu horn.] (Zoöl.) Having serrated antenn&?;.

Ser"ri*corn, n. (Zoöl.) Any one of a numerous tribe of beetles (Serricornia). The joints of the antennæ are prominent, thus producing a serrate appearance. See Illust. under Antenna.

Ser"ried (?), a. [See Serry.] Crowded; compact; dense; pressed together.

Nor seemed it to relax their serried files.

Milton.

||Ser*rif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. serra saw + ferre to bear.] ||(Zoöl.) A division of Hymenoptera comprising the sawflies.

||Ser`ri*ros"tres (?), n. pl. [NL. fr. L. serra saw + rostrum beak.] ||(Zoöl.) Same as Lamellirostres.

Ser"rous (?), a. [L. serra a saw.] Like the teeth off a saw; jagged. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Ser"ru*la (?), n. [L., a little saw.] (Zoöl.) The red-breasted merganser.

{ Ser"rulate (?), Ser"ru*la`ted (?), } a. [L. serrula a little saw, dim. of serra a saw.] Finely serrate; having very minute teeth.

Ser`ru*la"tion (?), n. 1. The state of being notched minutely, like a fine saw. Wright.

2. One of the teeth in a serrulate margin.

Ser"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Serried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Serrying.] [F. serrer, LL. serrare, serare, from L. sera a bar, bolt; akin to serere to join or bind together. See Serries.] To crowd; to press together. [Now perhaps only in the form serried, p. p. or a.]

||Ser`tu*la"ri*a (?), n. [NL., dim. fr. L. serta a garland.] (Zoöl.) A ||genus of delicate branching hydroids having small sessile hydrothecæ ||along the sides of the branches.

Ser`tu*la"ri*an (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of Sertularia, or of Sertularidæ, a family of hydroids having branched chitinous stems and simple sessile hydrothecæ. Also used adjectively.

Se"rum (s"rm), n. [L., akin to Gr. &?;&?;&?;, Skr. sra curd.] (Physiol.) (a) The watery portion of certain animal fluids, as blood, milk, etc. (b) A thin watery fluid, containing more or less albumin, secreted by the serous membranes of the body, such as the pericardium and peritoneum.

Blood serum, the pale yellowish fluid which exudes from the clot formed in the coagulation of the blood; the liquid portion of the blood, after removal of the blood corpuscles and the fibrin. -- Muscle serum, the thin watery fluid which separates from the muscles after coagulation of the muscle plasma; the watery portion of the plasma. See Muscle plasma, under Plasma. -- Serum albumin (Physiol. Chem.), an albuminous body, closely related to egg albumin, present in nearly all serous fluids; esp., the albumin of blood serum. -- Serum globulin (Physiol. Chem.), paraglobulin. -- Serum of milk (Physiol. Chem.), the whey, or fluid portion of milk, remaining after removal of the casein and fat.

Serv"a*ble (?), a. [See Serve.] 1. Capable of being served.

2. [L. servabilis.] Capable of being preserved. [R.]

Serv"age (?), n. [Cf. F. servage.] Serfage; slavery; servitude. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ser"val (?), n. [Cf. F. serval.] (Zoöl.) An African wild cat (Felis serval) of moderate size. It has rather long legs and a tail of moderate length. Its color is tawny, with black spots on the body and rings of black on the tail.

Ser"val*ine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Related to, or resembling, the serval.

Serv"ant (?), n. [OE. servant, servaunt, F. servant, a & p. pr. of servir to serve, L. servire. See Serve, and cf. Sergeant.] 1. One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper. "A yearly hired servant." Lev. xxv. 53.

Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and
servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government
or the country.

D. Webster.

In a legal sense, stewards, factors, bailiffs, and other agents, are servants for the time they are employed in such character, as they act in subordination to others. So any person may be legally the servant of another, in whose business, and under whose order, direction, and control, he is acting for the time being. Chitty.

2. One in a state of subjection or bondage.

Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt.

Deut. v. 15.

3. A professed lover or suitor; a gallant. [Obs.]

In my time a servant was I one.

Chaucer.

Servant of servants, one debased to the lowest condition of servitude. -- Your humble servant, or Your obedient servant, phrases of civility often used in closing a letter.

Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us
to be their slaves.

Swift.

Serv"ant, v. t. To subject. [Obs.] Shak.

Serv"ant*ess, n. A maidservant. [Obs.] Wyclif.

Serv"ant*ry (?), n. A body of servants; servants, collectively. [R.]

Serve (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Served (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Serving.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf. Conserve, Desert merit, Dessert, Observe, Serf, Sergeant.] 1. To work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship.

God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit.

Rom. i. 9.

Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for
Rachel thy younger daughter.

Gen. xxix. 18.

No man can serve two masters.

Matt. vi. 24.

Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he
would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies.

Shak.

2. To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to.

Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright.

Milton.

3. To be suitor to; to profess love to. [Obs.]

To serve a lady in his beste wise.

Chaucer.

4. To wait upon; to supply the wants of; to attend; specifically, to wait upon at table; to attend at meals; to supply with food; as, to serve customers in a shop.

Others, pampered in their shameless pride, Are served in plate and
in their chariots ride.

Dryden.

5. Hence, to bring forward, arrange, deal, or distribute, as a portion of anything, especially of food prepared for eating; -- often with up; formerly with in.

Bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to
dinner.

Shak.

Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed.

Dryde.

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6. To perform the duties belonging to, or required in or for; hence, to be of use to; as, a curate may serve two churches; to serve one's country.

7. To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn.

Turn it into some advantage, by observing where it can serve
another end.

Jer. Taylor.

8. To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.

9. To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill.

10. To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.

11. (Law) (a) To bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons. (b) To make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subpœna.

12. To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison.

13. To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male.

14. (Tennis) To lead off in delivering (the ball).

15. (Naut.) To wind spun yarn, or the like, tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather. See under Serving.

To serve an attachment or a writ of attachment (Law), to levy it on the person or goods by seizure, or to seize. -- To serve an execution (Law), to levy it on a lands, goods, or person, by seizure or taking possession. -- To serve an office, to discharge a public duty. -- To serve a process (Law), in general, to read it, so as to give due notice to the party concerned, or to leave an attested copy with him or his attorney, or his usual place of abode. -- To serve a warrant, to read it, and seize the person against whom it is issued. -- To serve a writ (Law), to read it to the defendant, or to leave an attested copy at his usual place of abode. -- To serve one out, to retaliate upon; to requite. "I'll serve you out for this." C. Kingsley. -- To serve one right, to treat, or cause to befall one, according to his deserts; -- used commonly of ill deserts; as, it serves the scoundrel right. -- To serve one's self of, to avail one's self of; to make use of. [A Gallicism]

I will serve myself of this concession.

Chillingworth.

-- To serve out, to distribute; as, to serve out rations. -- To serve the time or the hour, to regulate one's actions by the requirements of the time instead of by one's duty; to be a timeserver. [Obs.]

They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold
or seek preferment.

Hooker.

Syn. -- To obey; minister to; subserve; promote; aid; help; assist; benefit; succor.

Serve (?), v. i. 1. To be a servant or a slave; to be employed in labor or other business for another; to be in subjection or bondage; to render menial service.

The Lord shall give thee rest . . . from the hard bondage wherein
thou wast made to serve.

Isa. xiv. 3.

2. To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc.

But Martha . . . said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath
left me to serve alone?

Luke x. 40.

3. To be in service; to do duty; to discharge the requirements of an office or employment. Specifically, to act in the public service, as a soldier, seaman. etc.

Many . . . who had before been great commanders, but now served as
private gentlemen without pay.

Knolles.

4. To be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable.

This little brand will serve to light your fire.

Dryden.

As occasion serves, this noble queen And prince shall follow with a
fresh supply.

Shak.

5. (Tennis) To lead off in delivering the ball.

Serv"er (?), n. 1. One who serves.

2. A tray for dishes; a salver. Randolph.

Ser"vi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Servia, a kingdom of Southern Europe. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Servia.

{ 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.

Service berry (Bot.), the fruit of any kind of service tree. In British America the name is especially applied to that of the several species or varieties of the shad bush (Amelanchier.)

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.

Shak.

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

Tillotson.

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.

Shak.

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

Dryden.

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

Macaulay.

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.

Coleridge.

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.

Spenser.

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.

L'Estrange.

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.

Hakewill.