Middle English Dictionary Entry
server(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | server(e n. Also surveour & (in surname) servier; pl. serveres, sarveieres. |
| Etymology | From serven v.(1); also cp. OF servëor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A servant; a retainer; (b) ?a server at mass; (c) a server at table; (d) ?in surname.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.386 : He þat is more amonge ȝou be maad as ȝonger, and he þat goiþ bifore, be he as a servere..Crist is among hem as a good servere.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)422 : Euer remembre olde Sarueyeres..That hathe be feithfull & trewe welewyllers To thair ligeance withoute feintnesse.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)60/28 : Lö yonder is his server.
c
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)15 : Thilke he wolde bi especial weren ministres and serueres to him and to the official at the boord and coadiutowres.
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)532 : Byfore þe cours þo stuarde comes þen, Þe seruer hit next of alle kyn men Mays way and stondes by syde Tyl alle be serued at þat tyde.
- a1500(c1465) SEChron.(Lamb 306)57 : Att every course nexte the quene the Bysshoppis were servid, covered as the quene, and than the Kynge of Scottis and other lordis, And the Duke of Glowcester was Surveour.
d
- (1197) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.8245 : Turstamus le seruier.