ˈserving-ˌman Now arch.
[serving ppl. a.]
1. A man who serves; a male servant or attendant. (Common in 16th and 17th centuries.)
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 835 Þe seruyng man, þat seruyþ yn þe ȝere, Oweþ to come [to church on Sunday] when he haþ leysere. 1538 Starkey England i. iii. 78 Of thos sortys be ouermany, and specyally of them wych we cal seruyng men, wych lyue in seruyce to gentylmen, lordys, and other of the nobylyte. 1581 W. Stafford Exam. Compl. ii. (1876) 64 For now a dayes Seruingmen goe more costely in apparell,..then their maisters were wont to doe in times past. 1605 Shakes. Lear iii. iv. 87. 1677 A. Behn Debauchee i. i. 7 You know the serving-man is always allow'd to break his fast upon his master's leavings. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm. xviii ‘The mercy of Heaven forbid!’ said the old serving-man. 1872 Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 781 There brake a serving-man Flying from out of the black wood, and crying, ‘They have bound my lord to cast him in the mere.’ 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge xx, Save these two serving-men, there was not a menial at the Court who [etc.]. |
| Comb. 1667 Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir M. Mar-all iv. i, Or, Serving-man like, ready to carry up the hot meat for your Master. |
† 2. serving-man's joy: a name for Rue.
Obs.—0| 1671 Phillips (ed. 3), Rue, a Solar herb,..it is otherwise called Herb-grace, or serving-mans joy. 1721 Bailey, Serving-man's joy, the Herb Rue. |
Hence
† serving-manned pa. pple. (
nonce-wd.).
| 1609 Rowlands Knave of Clubs (1612) B 1, Yes sir (said she) I pray come in, Thus was she seruing-mand. |