Serven

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Archaic term meaning to work for, attend to, or be in the employ of another person
2. An obsolete verb for acting as a servant or attendant to a master or lord
3. Old-fashioned word for performing duties or labour on behalf of someone else

Etymology: "Serven" is a Middle English form of "serve," used as the infinitive or the plural present tense, as in Chaucer's period. It comes from Old French "servir," which descends from Latin "servire," meaning "to be a slave" or "to serve," and that in turn comes from "servus," "slave." The "-en" ending was the common verb ending of the time, and it later dropped away as English grammar simplified, leaving "serve."