c. 1100, "celebration of public worship," from Old French servise "act of homage; servitude; service at table; Mass, church ceremony," from Latin servitium "slavery, condition of a slave, servitude," also "slaves collectively," from servus "slave" (see serve (v.)).
Meaning "act of serving, occupation of an attendant servant" is attested from c. 1200, as is that of "assistance, help; a helpful act." From c. 1300 as "provision of food; sequence of dishes served in a meal;" from late 14c. as "service at table, attendance during a meal." Meaning "the furniture of the table" (tea service, etc.) is from mid-15c.
Meanings "state of being bound to undertake tasks for someone or at someone's direction; labor performed or undertaken for another" are mid-13c. Sense of "service or employment in a court or administration" is from c. 1300, as is that of "military service (especially by a knight); employment as a soldier;" hence "the military as an occupation" (1706).
Also in Middle English "sexual intercourse, conjugal relations" (mid-15c.; service of Venus, or flesh's service). Service industry (as distinct from production) attested from 1938. A service station originally was a gas stop that also repaired cars.
service (v.)
1893, "to provide with service," from service (n.1). Meaning "perform work on" first recorded 1926. Related: Serviced; servicing.
service (n.2)
type of tree or berry, extended form of serve (perhaps via Middle English plural serves being taken as a singular), from Old English syrfe, Old French sorbe, both from Vulgar Latin *sorbea, from Latin sorbus (see sorb).
双语例句
1. It's an open secret that the security service bugged telephones.
安全部门窃听电话是人人皆知的秘密。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The plane has been kept in service far longer than originally intended.
这架飞机已经超期服役很长时间了。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The intelligence service conceived a grand design to assassinate the War Minister.
情报机构策划了一项暗杀陆军部长的重大计划。
来自柯林斯例句
4. She conceded just three points on her service during the first set.
她在第一盘自己的发球局仅失了3分。
来自柯林斯例句
5. In some stores we were undermanned and customer service was suffering.