v. [ad. L. subservīre, f. sub- SUB- 8 + servīre to SERVE v.1]

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  1.  intr. To be subservient to.

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a. 1619.  Fotherby, Atheom., II. i. § 8 (1622), 186. Arts belonging to all these; and yet all of them subseruing vnto the Art of Riding.

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1646.  H. Lawrence, Commun. Angels, 10. All creatures shall subserve to that composition of which God is a part.

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1677.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, III. 9. The manner of our disquisitions … is irregular…. When we … make that subservient which should be ultimate, and that ultimate which should subserve.

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1759.  Martin, Nat. Hist., II. 317. It subserves … to the Trade of this Place.

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1822.  L. Hunt, Indicator, No. 25 (1822), I. 193. Merely subserving to the worst taste of the times.

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1860.  Westcott, Introd. Study Gosp., v. 263. The historical framework of their writings subserved to a doctrinal development.

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  2.  trans. To be instrumental in furthering or assisting (a purpose, object, action, function or condition); to promote or assist by supplying an instrument or means.

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1677.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, IV. 439. Is there not a world of men, which … subserve the Glorie of their Maker?

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1685.  Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. vi. 9. That thou wilt … cause us to subserve thy Providence by our wise and diligent labours.

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1687.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2250/3. The free Exercise of Religion … will … most truly subserve the Interest of Your Majesties Power.

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1741.  Watts, Improv. Mind, I. xvii. (1801), 135. [The memory] uses all those parts … which subserve our sensations.

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1786.  trans. Beckford’s Vathek, 7. Even insensible matter shewed a forwardness to subserve his designs.

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1815.  Kirby & Sp., Entomol., x. (1816), I. 305. It might subserve the double purpose of ridding us of a nuisance, and relieving the public pressure.

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1833–6.  Newman, Hist. Sk. (1896), I. IV. v. 417. The cause of Protestantism … the Catholic Fathers certainly do not subserve.

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1854.  Owen, in Orr’s Circ. Sci., Org. Nat., I. 197. The ribs … subserve locomotion.

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1896.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 109. The peripheral nervous system subserves sensation alone.

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  b.  To be instrumental in furthering the purpose, interest or function of (a person or thing). rare.

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1661.  Baxter, Last Wk. Believer (1682), 62. Christ will not take it ill … to have his Ministers subserve him in so excellent a work.

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1669.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. I. 5. You see how the more imperfect subserve the perfect; the inanimate the animate; as the earth the plant.

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1854.  Owen, in Orr’s Circ. Sci., Org. Nat., I. 163. Portions of bone are also developed to protect and otherwise subserve the organs of the senses.

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  † 3.  a. intr. To act in a subordinate position. Obs. rare.

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1671.  Milton, Samson, 57. Not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command.

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  † b.  trans. To serve under, be subordinate to. Obs. rare.

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1769.  E. Bancroft, Guiana, 319. The husband takes a second [wife] … who lives and subserves the former in all domestic employments.

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  4.  refl. To avail oneself of. rare.

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a. 1834.  Coleridge, Omniana, Lit. Rem. 1836, I. 373. I not merely subserve myself of them, but I employ them.

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