Seron - Serve

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{ Seron (?), Seroon (?), } n. [Sp. seron a kind of hamper or pannier, aug. of sera a large pannier or basket.] Same as .
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☞ This word as expressing a quantity or weight has no definite signification. McElrath.
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Serose (?), a. Serous. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
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Serosity (?), n. [Cf. F. serosité. See .] 1. The quality or state of being serous.
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2. (Physiol.) A thin watery animal fluid, as synovial fluid and pericardial fluid.
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Serotherapy (?), n. (Med.) (a) Serum-therapy. (b) The whey cure.
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Serotine (?), n. [F. sérotine, fr. L. serotinus that comes or happens late.] (Zoöl.) The European long-eared bat (Vesperugo serotinus).
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Serotinous (?), a. [L. serotinus, fr. serus late.] (Biol.) Appearing or blossoming later in the season than is customary with allied species.
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Serous (?), a. [Cf. F. séreux. See .] (Physiol.) (a) Thin; watery; like serum; as, the serous fluids. (b) Of or pertaining to serum; as, the serous glands, membranes, layers. See .
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Coloq. Serous membrane . (Anat.) See under .
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{ Serow (?), Surrow (?), } n. (Zoöl.) The thar.
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Serpens (?), n. [L. See .] (Astron.) A constellation represented as a serpent held by Serpentarius.
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Serpent (?), n. [F., fr. L. serpens, -entis (sc. bestia), fr. serpens, p. pr. of serpere to creep; akin to Gr. ���, Skr. sarp, and perhaps to L. repere, E. reptile. Cf. .] 1. (Zoöl.) Any reptile of the order Ophidia; a snake, especially a large snake. See Illust. under .
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☞ The serpents are mostly long and slender, and move partly by bending the body into undulations or folds and pressing them against objects, and partly by using the free edges of their ventral scales to cling to rough surfaces. Many species glide swiftly over the ground, some burrow in the earth, others live in trees. A few are entirely aquatic, and swim rapidly. See , and .
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2. Fig.: A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
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3. A species of firework having a serpentine motion as it passess through the air or along the ground.
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4. (Astron.) The constellation Serpens.
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5. (Mus.) A bass wind instrument, of a loud and coarse tone, formerly much used in military bands, and sometimes introduced into the orchestra; -- so called from its form.
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Coloq. Pharaoh's serpent (Chem.), mercuric sulphocyanate, a combustible white substance which in burning gives off a poisonous vapor and leaves a peculiar brown voluminous residue which is expelled in a serpentine from. It is employed as a scientific toy. -- Coloq. Serpent cucumber (Bot.), the long, slender, serpentine fruit of the cucurbitaceous plant Trichosanthes colubrina; also, the plant itself. -- Coloq. Serpent eage (Zoöl.), any one of several species of raptorial birds of the genera Circaëtus and Spilornis, which prey on serpents. They inhabit Africa, Southern Europe, and India. The European serpent eagle is Circaëtus Gallicus. -- Coloq. Serpent eater . (Zoöl.) (a) The secretary bird. (b) An Asiatic antelope; the markhoor. -- Coloq. Serpent fish (Zoöl.), a fish (Cepola rubescens) with a long, thin, compressed body, and a band of red running lengthwise. -- Coloq. Serpent star (Zoöl.), an ophiuran; a brittle star. -- Coloq. Serpent's tongue (Paleon.), the fossil tooth of a shark; -- so called from its resemblance to a tongue with its root. -- Coloq. Serpent withe (Bot.), a West Indian climbing plant (Aristolochia odoratissima). -- Coloq. Tree serpent (Zoöl.), any species of African serpents belonging to the family Dendrophidæ.
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Serpent, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Serpented; p. pr. & vb. n. Serpenting.] To wind like a serpent; to crook about; to meander. [R.] “The serpenting of the Thames.” Evelyn.
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Serpent, v. t. To wind; to encircle. [R.] Evelyn.
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Serpentaria (?), a.[L. (sc. herba), fr. serpens serpent.] (Med.) The fibrous aromatic root of the Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia Serpentaria).
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Serpentarius (?), n.[NL., fr. L. serpens serpent.] (Astron.) A constellation on the equator, lying between Scorpio and Hercules; -- called also Ophiuchus.
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Serpentiform (?), a. [L. serpens a serpent + -form.] Having the form of a serpent.
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Serpentigenous (?), a. [L. serpens, -entis, a serpent + -genous: cf. L. serpentigena.] Bred of a serpent.
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Serpentine (?), a. [L. serpentinus: cf. F. serpentin.] Resembling a serpent; having the shape or qualities of a serpent; subtle; winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; meandering; sinuous; zigzag; as, serpentine braid.
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Thy shape
Like his, and color serpentine. Milton.
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Serpentine, n. [Cf. (for sense 1) F. serpentine, (for sense 2) serpentin.] 1. (Min.) A mineral or rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia. It is usually of an obscure green color, often with a spotted or mottled appearance resembling a serpent's skin. Precious, or noble, serpentine is translucent and of a rich oil-green color.
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☞ Serpentine has been largely produced by the alteration of other minerals, especially of chrysolite.
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2. (Ordnance) A kind of ancient cannon.
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Serpentine, v. i. To serpentize. [R.] Lyttleton.
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Serpentinely, adv. In a serpentine manner.
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Serpentinian (?), n. (Eccl.) See 2d .
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Serpentinize (?), v. t. (Min.) To convert (a magnesian silicate) into serpentine. -- Serpentinization (#), n.
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Serpentinous (?), a. Relating to, or like, serpentine; as, a rock serpentinous in character.
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Serpentize (?), v. i. To turn or bend like a serpent, first in one direction and then in the opposite; to meander; to wind; to serpentine. [R.]
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The river runs before the door, and serpentizes more than you can conceive. Walpole.
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Serpentry (?), n. 1. A winding like a serpent's.
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2. A place inhabited or infested by serpents.
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Serpent-tongued (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a forked tongue, like a serpent.
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Serpet (?), n. [L. sirpus, scirpus, a rush, bulrush.] A basket. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
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Serpette (?), n. [F.] A pruning knife with a curved blade. Knight.
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Serpiginous (?), a. [Cf. F. serpigineux.] (Med.) Creeping; -- said of lesions which heal over one portion while continuing to advance at another.
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Serpigo (?), n. [LL., fr. L. serpere to creep.] (Med.) A dry, scaly eruption on the skin; especially, a ringworm.
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Serpolet (?), n. [F.] (Bot.) Wild thyme.
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Serpula (?), n.; pl. Serpulæ (#), E. Serpulas (#). [L., a little snake. See .] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of tubicolous annelids of the genus Serpula and allied genera of the family Serpulidæ. They secrete a calcareous tube, which is usually irregularly contorted, but is sometimes spirally coiled. The worm has a wreath of plumelike and often bright-colored gills around its head, and usually an operculum to close the aperture of its tube when it retracts.
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{ Serpulian (?), Serpulidan (?), } n. (Zoöl.) A serpula.
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Serpulite (?), n. A fossil serpula shell.
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Serr (?), v. t. [F. serrer. See .] To crowd, press, or drive together. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Serranoid (?), n. [NL. Serranus, a typical genus (fr. L. serra a saw) + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Any fish of the family Serranidæ, which includes the striped bass, the black sea bass, and many other food fishes. -- a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Serranidæ.
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{ Serrate (?), Serrated (?), } a. [L. serratus, fr. serra a saw; perhaps akin to secare to cut, E. saw a cutting instrument. Cf. .] 1. Notched on the edge, like a saw.
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2. (Bot.) Beset with teeth pointing forwards or upwards; as, serrate leaves.
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Coloq. Doubly serrate , having small serratures upon the large ones, as the leaves of the elm. -- Coloq. Serrate-ciliate , having fine hairs, like the eyelashes, on the serratures; -- said of a leaf. -- Coloq. Serrate-dentate , having the serratures toothed.
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Serration (?), n. 1. Condition of being serrate; formation in the shape of a saw.
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2. One of the teeth in a serrate or serrulate margin.
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Serratirostral (?), a. [Serrate + rostral.] (Zoöl.) Having a toothed bill, like that of a toucan.
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Serrator (?), n. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The ivory gull (Larus eburneus).
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Serrature (?), n. [L. serratura a sawing, fr. serrare to saw.] 1. A notching, like that between the teeth of a saw, in the edge of anything. Martyn.
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2. One of the teeth in a serrated edge; a serration.
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Serricated (?), a. [See .] Covered with fine silky down.
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Serricorn (?), a. [L. serra saw + cornu horn.] (Zoöl.) Having serrated antenn�.
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Serricorn, n. (Zoöl.) Any one of a numerous tribe of beetles (Serricornia). The joints of the antennæ are prominent, thus producing a serrate appearance. See Illust. under .
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Serried (?), a. [See .] Crowded; compact; dense; pressed together.
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Nor seemed it to relax their serried files. Milton.
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Serrifera (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. serra saw + ferre to bear.] (Zoöl.) A division of Hymenoptera comprising the sawflies.
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Serrirostres (?), n. pl. [NL. fr. L. serra saw + rostrum beak.] (Zoöl.) Same as .
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Serrous (?), a. [L. serra a saw.] Like the teeth off a saw; jagged. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Serrula (?), n. [L., a little saw.] (Zoöl.) The red-breasted merganser.
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{ Serrulate (?), Serrulated (?), } a. [L. serrula a little saw, dim. of serra a saw.] Finely serrate; having very minute teeth.
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Serrulation (?), n. 1. The state of being notched minutely, like a fine saw. Wright.
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2. One of the teeth in a serrulate margin.
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Serry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Serried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Serrying.] [F. serrer, LL. serrare, serare, from L. sera a bar, bolt; akin to serere to join or bind together. See .] To crowd; to press together. [Now perhaps only in the form serried, p. p. or a.]
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Sertularia (?), n. [NL., dim. fr. L. serta a garland.] (Zoöl.) A genus of delicate branching hydroids having small sessile hydrothecæ along the sides of the branches.
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Sertularian (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of Sertularia, or of Sertularidæ, a family of hydroids having branched chitinous stems and simple sessile hydrothecæ. Also used adjectively.
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Serum (sērŭm), n. [L., akin to Gr. ���, Skr. sāra curd.] (Physiol.) (a) The watery portion of certain animal fluids, as blood, milk, etc. (b) A thin watery fluid, containing more or less albumin, secreted by the serous membranes of the body, such as the pericardium and peritoneum.
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Coloq. Blood serum , the pale yellowish fluid which exudes from the clot formed in the coagulation of the blood; the liquid portion of the blood, after removal of the blood corpuscles and the fibrin. -- Coloq. Muscle serum , the thin watery fluid which separates from the muscles after coagulation of the muscle plasma; the watery portion of the plasma. See Muscle plasma, under . -- Coloq. Serum albumin (Physiol. Chem.), an albuminous body, closely related to egg albumin, present in nearly all serous fluids; esp., the albumin of blood serum. -- Coloq. Serum globulin (Physiol. Chem.), paraglobulin. -- Coloq. Serum of milk (Physiol. Chem.), the whey, or fluid portion of milk, remaining after removal of the casein and fat.
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Serum-therapy (?), n. (Med.) The treatment of disease by the injection of blood serum from immune animals.
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Servable (?), a. [See .] 1. Capable of being served.
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2. [L. servabilis.] Capable of being preserved. [R.]
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Servage (?), n. [Cf. F. servage.] Serfage; slavery; servitude. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Serval (?), n. [Cf. F. serval.] (Zoöl.) An African wild cat (Felis serval) of moderate size; -- called also serval cat. It has rather long legs and a tail of moderate length. Its color is tawny, with black spots on the body and rings of black on the tail.
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Servaline (?), a. (Zoöl.) Related to, or resembling, the serval.
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Servant (?), n. [OE. servant, servaunt, F. servant, a & p. pr. of servir to serve, L. servire. See , and cf. .] 1. One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper. “A yearly hired servant.” Lev. xxv. 53.
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Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government or the country. D. Webster.
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☞ In a legal sense, stewards, factors, bailiffs, and other agents, are servants for the time they are employed in such character, as they act in subordination to others. So any person may be legally the servant of another, in whose business, and under whose order, direction, and control, he is acting for the time being. Chitty.
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2. One in a state of subjection or bondage.
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Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt. Deut. v. 15.
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3. A professed lover or suitor; a gallant. [Obs.]
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In my time a servant was I one. Chaucer.
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Coloq. Servant of servants , one debased to the lowest condition of servitude. -- Coloq. Your humble servant , or Coloq. Your obedient servant , phrases of civility formerly often used in closing a letter, now archaic; -- at one time such phrases were exaggerated to include Your most humble, most obedient servant.
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Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be their slaves. Swift.
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Servant, v. t. To subject. [Obs.] Shak.
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Servantess, n. A maidservant. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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Servantry (?), n. A body of servants; servants, collectively. [R.]
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Serve (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Served (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Serving.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf. , merit, , , , .] 1. To work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship.
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God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit. Rom. i. 9.
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Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Gen. xxix. 18.
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No man can serve two masters. Matt. vi. 24.
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Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies. Shak.
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2. To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to.
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Bodies bright and greater should not serve
The less not bright. Milton.
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3. To be suitor to; to profess love to. [Obs.]
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To serve a lady in his beste wise. Chaucer.
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4. To wait upon; to supply the wants of; to attend; specifically, to wait upon at table; to attend at meals; to supply with food; as, to serve customers in a shop.
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Others, pampered in their shameless pride,
Are served in plate and in their chariots ride. Dryden.
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5. Hence, to bring forward, arrange, deal, or distribute, as a portion of anything, especially of food prepared for eating; -- often with up; formerly with in.
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Bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Shak.
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Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed. Dryde.
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