Category:Subserve

Sub*serve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subserved; p. pr. & vb. n. Subserving.] Etym: [l. subservire; sub under + servire to serve. See Serve.]

Defn: to serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient To; to help forward; to promote. It is a great credit to know the ways of captivating nature, and Making her subserve our purposes, than to have learned all the Intrigues of policy. Glanvill.

Subserve Sub*serve", v. i.

Defn: to be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior Capacity. Not made to rule, but to subserve where wisdom bears command. Milton.