an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service.
2.
the supplying or supplier of utilities or commodities, as water, electricity, or gas, required or demanded by the public.
3.
the providing or a provider of accommodation and activities required by the public, as maintenance, repair, etc.: The manufacturer guarantees service and parts.
4.
the organized system of apparatus, appliances, employees, etc., for supplying some accommodation required by the public: a television repair service.
5.
the supplying or a supplier of public communication and transportation: telephone service; bus service.
6.
the performance of duties or the duties performed as or by a waiter or servant; occupation or employment as a waiter or servant.
7.
employment in any duties or work for a person, organization, government, etc.
8.
a department of public employment, an administrative division of a government, or the body of public servants in it: the diplomatic service.
9.
the duty or work of public servants.
10.
the serving of a sovereign, state, or government in some official capacity.
11.
Military.
a.
the armed forces: in the service.
b.
a branch of the armed forces, as the army or navy: Which service were you in during the war?
12.
Ordnance. the actions required in loading and firing a cannon: service of the piece.
13.
Often, services.the performance of any duties or work for another; helpful or professional activity: medical services.
14.
something made or done by a commercial organization for the public benefit and without regard to direct profit: Certain books are published at a loss as a public service.
15.
Also called divine service.public religious worship according to prescribed form and order.
16.
a ritual or form prescribed for public worship or for some particular occasion: the marriage service.
17.
the serving of God by obedience, piety, etc.: voluntary service.
18.
a musical setting of the sung portions of a liturgy.
19.
a set of dishes, utensils, etc., for general table use or for particular use: a tea service; service for eight.
Law. the serving of a process or writ upon a person.
22.
Nautical. tarred spun yarn or other small stuff for covering the exterior of a rope.
23.
(in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
a.
the act or manner of putting the ball or shuttlecock into play; serve.
b.
the ball or shuttlecock as put into play.
24.
the mating of a female animal with the male.
–adjective
25.
of service; useful.
26.
of, pertaining to, or used by servants, delivery people, etc., or in serving food: service stairs; the service pieces in a set of dishes.
27.
supplying aids or services rather than products or goods: Medicine is one of the service professions.
28.
supplying maintenance and repair: He operates a service center for electrical appliances.
29.
of, for, or pertaining to the armed forces of a country or one of them: a service academy.
30.
charged for providing service: a service fee of 15 percent on the restaurant check.
31.
providing, authorizing, or guaranteeing service: a service industry; a service contract.
–verb (used with object)
32.
to make fit for use; repair; restore to condition for service: to service an automobile.
33.
to supply with aid, information, or other incidental services.
34.
(of a male animal) to mate with (a female animal).
35.
Finance. to pay off (a debt) over a period of time, as by meeting periodic interest payments.
—Idioms
36.
at someone's service, ready to be of help or use to someone; at one's disposal: You will have an English-speaking guide at your service.
37.
be of service, to be helpful or useful: If we can be of service, do not hesitate to call.
[Origin: bef. 1100; ME (n.) < OF < L servitium servitude, equiv. to serv(us) slave + -itium-ice; r. ME servise, late OE serfise ceremony < OF servise, var. of service]
Health and Human Services, United States Department of, federal executive department charged with administering government health programs. Successor to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which had been created in 1953, it was redesignated in 1979 with the creation of the Department of Education. The secretary advises the President on health and welfare matters. The department has several components. The Administration for Children and Families is responsible for Operation Head Start, the enforcement of child support laws, and programs concerning adoption, job training, and runaway youths. The Public Health Service is divided into 42 subdivisions; it carries out research on disease and health concerns through the National Institutes of Health, protects consumers from adulterated or untested foods and drugs through the Food and Drug Administration, and implements public health measures and monitors the spread of infectious diseases through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration develops and analyzes information relating to the prevention and treatment of addictive and mental disorders. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administers Medicare and Medicaid. The Social Security Administration, formerly part of the department, became an independent agency in 1995 (see social security). The Administration on Aging develops policy and programs to promote the welfare of older Americans and administers grants to states to establish community programs for them.
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Audio Help [sur-vis] Pronunciation Key noun, adjective, verb, -iced, -ic·ing. 