serve

Where does the word "serve" come from? It comes from Latin servire, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Serve’s story begins in Latin: servire meant “to be a slave, serve.” From 'servus', slave. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as servir. The root of 'servant', 'service' and 'sergeant'. It reached English by 1200s as serve. Tennis 'serve' dates from the 1500s. Today, serve means to perform duties for; to present food.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient servire "to be a slave, serve", from 'servus', slave.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval servir "to serve", the root of 'servant', 'service' and 'sergeant'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s serve "to work for", tennis 'serve' dates from the 1500s.