Etymologically
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server

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 01:42. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈsɜːvə/ (UK); /ˈsɝvɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is an agent noun formed from English serve + -er.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who serves another in any capacity: about 1380 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

An attendant at a meal is from about 1460.[4][2] An artisan's assistant is from 1481–90.[4][5] In tennis and other games, the player who puts the ball in play is from 1585.[4][5] A thing used for serving food, such as a tray, is from about 1600 (1677 in the Historical Thesaurus).[2][5] An assistant at Mass is from 1853.[4] A shop assistant is from 1854, chiefly British.[5] In computing, a program that gives other programs access to a resource is from 1969 in the Historical Thesaurus, and the computer itself by 1992 in Etymonline.[5][2]

Timeline

  • c. 1380 – one who serves.[4]
  • c. 1460 – an attendant at a meal.[4]
  • 1585 – in games.[4]
  • 1677 – a serving dish.[5]
  • 1853 – an assistant at Mass.[4]
  • 1969 – in computing.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. (computing) A computer or program that supplies data or services to others on a network.
  2. A person who serves food or drink; a waiter or waitress.
  3. The player who serves in a game such as tennis.
  4. An implement or dish used for serving food.
  5. A person who assists the priest at Mass.

Word family

  • file server
  • process server

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Kay, Christian; Roberts, Jane; Samuels, Michael; Wotherspoon, Irené, eds. (2009), Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press; online edition (2024)