turn-serving, n. and a.
(ˈtɜːnˌsɜːvɪŋ)
[f. turn n. 30 + serving vbl. n. and ppl. a.]
a. n. The action or practice of serving one's own turn; the promotion of one's private interest; self-seeking; an instance of this. b. adj. That serves its own turn; promoting one's own ends. So † ˈturn-served a., that has served his own turn (obs.); ˈturn-ˌserver, one whose motive is his own interest. Cf. time-server, etc.
| 1613 Chapman Masque Inns of Court Plays 1873 III. 109 The sight of an attendant for reward is abominable in the eyes of a *turne-seru'd Politician. |
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xvi. (1623) 839 A deceitfull man, a *turn-server. 1710 Answ. to Bp. of Oxford's Sp. 18 The Memory of all Time and Turn-Servers will be forgotten. |
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xi. §62 His name was abased to all sorts of *turne-seruings. 1616 Bacon Let. to Sir G. Villiers 12 Aug., Though now, since Choice goeth better both in Church and Common-wealth, yet Money, and Turn-Serving, and Cunning Canvises, and Importunity, prevail too much. |
| 1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 278 Let people take heede how they build upon *turne-seruing freendship. 1842 G. S. Faber Prov. Lett. (1844) II. 189 A mere temporary and turn-serving appeal to Antiquity. |