(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function; "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms"
provide (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show"
help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
work for or be a servant to; "May I serve you?"; "She attends the old lady in the wheelchair"; "Can you wait on our table, please?"; "Is a salesperson assisting you?"; "The minister served the King for many years"
devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas; "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country"
contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to; "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the country well"
serve a purpose, role, or function; "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk"
spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs or success; "propitious omens"; "propitious gales speeded us along"; "a propitious alignment of planets for space exploration"
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals); "the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph"--Thomas Paine; "police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs"
an incompatibility of dates or events; "he noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings"
opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings; "he was immobilized by conflict and indecision"
opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot); "this form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing"
a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests; "his conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post"; "a conflict of loyalties"
go against, as of rules and laws; "He ran afoul of the law"; "This behavior conflicts with our rules"
treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed
hold something in one's hands and move it
control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage; "She manipulates her boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up"; "The teacher knew how to keep the class in line"; "she keeps in line"
influence or control shrewdly or deviously; "He manipulated public opinion in his favor"
supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep"
the side upon which the use of a thing depends (usually the most prominent surface of an object); "he dealt the cards face down"
the striking or working surface of an implement
the general outward appearance of something; "the face of the city is changing"
status in the eyes of others; "he lost face"
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear; "he washed his face"; "I wish I had seen the look on his face when he got the news"
the part of an animal corresponding to the human face
a part of a person that is used to refer to a person; "he looked out at a roomful of faces"; "when he returned to work he met many new faces"
cover the front or surface of; "The building was faced with beautiful stones"
line the edge (of a garment) with a different material; "face the lapels of the jacket"
turn so as to face; turn the face in a certain direction; "Turn and face your partner now"
turn so as to expose the face; "face a playing card"
be opposite; "the facing page"; "the two sofas face each other"