A Word A Day — subserve

with Anu Garg

subserve

(suhb-SURV)

verb tr.: To help to further something.

From Latin subservire (to serve under), from sub- (under) + servire (to serve), from servus (slave).

“The decisions were ad hoc in nature and were taken to subserve political expediency.”
H.N. Das; Ethnic Aspirations; The Assam Tribune (India); Apr 19, 2009.

Explore “subserve” in the Visual Thesaurus.

One can promise actions, but not feelings, for the latter are involuntary. He who promises to love forever or hate forever or be forever faithful to someone is promising something that is not in his power. -Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)