server English · revision 5162

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1380|origins=en serve, en -er}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɜːvə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈsɝvɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun formed [[af|en|serve|-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who serves another in any capacity: about 1380 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An attendant at a meal is from about 1460.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) An artisan's assistant is from 1481–90.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) In tennis and other games, the player who puts the ball in play is from 1585.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) A thing used for serving food, such as a tray, is from about 1600 (1677 in the Historical Thesaurus).^(Etymonline)^(HTOED) An assistant at Mass is from 1853.^(OED 1989) A shop assistant is from 1854, chiefly British.^(HTOED) 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.^(HTOED)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – one who serves.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1460 – an attendant at a meal.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1585 – in games.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1677 – a serving dish.^(HTOED)

+ * 1853 – an assistant at Mass.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1969 – in computing.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(computing)'' A computer or program that supplies data or services to others on a [[network]].^(Collins 2023)^(COED 2004)

+ # A person who serves food or drink; a [[waiter]] or waitress.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # The player who serves in a game such as tennis.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An implement or dish used for serving food.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who assists the priest at Mass.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[file server]]

+ * [[process server]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[serve]]

+ * [[servant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}