Baretti: A dictionary of the English and Italian languages
Serví-re, v. a.
1. to serve, act, work for any one, be his servant, attend him. — le tavole, to wait at table; 2. to furnish, lend money, help or accommodate one with money; 3. to deserve, merit; 4. to return, give back again, repay;5. to help one at table. Volete che vi serva?shall I help you? Si serva, help yourself; 6. to serve one, assist him, do him a service. Mi comandi in tutto quel che vaglio a servirla,command me in any thing I am able to serve you; 7. to serve, to be instead of. Questo mi servirà di mantello, this will serve me for a cloak. Ciò vi serva d'avviso, let this be a warning to you; 8. to serve, help, be serviceable, useful, or of use, to do service, to stand or avail. Il fuoco serve a scaldare, fire serves to warm. Ciò serve alla digestione, that helps digestion. A che serve? what avails it? Questo cappello non mi può più servire, this hat is of no more use to me. Questo serve a molte cose,this serves for many things. — di coppa e di coltello, to act as cupbearer and carver; to be devoted to the service of any one; v. r. — d' alcuna cosa, to employ or make use of any thing; s. m. Serví-tóre, f. Serví-tríce.