mis-ˈserve, v. Now rare.
[In early use a. OF. messervir (see mis-2); later f. mis-1 1 + serve v.]
1. trans. To serve badly or unfaithfully; to do a disservice to.
| 1340 Ayenb. 20 Þench hou uele ziþe þou hest misserued oure lhord Jesu crist. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 224 Of that the king his god misserveth, The poeple takth that he descerveth Hier in this world. 1475 Paston Lett. III. 130 If it be so that ye be mysse servyd ther. c 1500 Geste Robyn Hode cxc, I was mysserued of my dynere. 1584 Extracts Aberdeen Reg. (1848) II. 54 Quhilk [regrating of victual] is..the caus that the pure commounis of this burght ar misservit. a 1626 Bacon Charge Sess. Verge (1662) 19 Whereby a man may have that he thinketh he hath, and not be abused or misserved in that he buyes. 1727 Arbuthnot Coins, etc. xix. 200 Great Men who mis-served their Country, were often fined very highly. |
† 2. To deprive of the services of. Obs.
| 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 147 Sen he..mycht..have had otheris at will and wale, of quhilkis he has gert the King be misservit. |
† 3. intr. To miss fire. Obs.
| 1661 Justiciary Rec. (S.H.S.) 10 George presented a Pistoll to them which misserved. 1685 Lond. Gaz. No. 2045/1 He presented his Pistol to the Country-man, but it mis-served. |