Sub*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subserved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Subserving.] [L. subservire; sub under + servire to serve. See Serve.]
To serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient to; to help forward; to promote.
It is a great credit to know the ways of captivating Nature, and making her subserve our purposes, than to have learned all the intrigues of policy.
Glanvill.
© Webster 1913.
Sub*serve", v. i.
To be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior capacity.
Not made to rule,
But to subserve where wisdom bears command.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.