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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
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Service, Sarvice, n. Also: servyce, -icie, -e(i)ce, -is(e, -ys(e, -yis, -es, -eis, -ijs, cervice, serwic(e, -yce, -yice, -eice, -is(e, -ys(e, -ysse, -es, -eis, scherwyce, sirvice, syrvice, serfis, sarveice, -vyse, -ves, sarwyce, -wis. [ME and e.m.E. seruise (c1175), seruyse (c1275), seruis (Cursor M.), seruyce (Wyclif), service (Gower), sarvys (1536), saruice (1543-44), late OE serfise (a1100), OF servise (c1050 in Larousse), service (mod. F. service), L. servitium]Forms in scher- seem to occur almost exclusively as editorial expansions of the MS abbreviation long double s with or without following superscript r; this expansion is favoured by several editors, including J. Small in the STS Dunb., J. Cranstoun in the STS Scott, D. Hamer in the STS Lynd. Sat. (Bann. MS version), also G. Stevenson in the STS Montg. and H. H. Meier in Makeson Genesis, but eschewed by most others. But see note to Serv(e v.¹

1. The condition of serving a superior in a feudal relationship, usu. in return for land or some other benefit. Also transf. 1240 Highland P. II 121.]
[Gillascop mac Gilcrist pro homagio et servicio suo … quinque denariatas terre de Fyncharne … faciendo medietatem servicii unius militis in exercitu et in auxilio quantum pertinet ad plenum servicium unius militis. Et faciendo servicium scoticanum sicut barones et milites nostri ex aquilonali parte maris scocie pro terris suis faciunt 1375 Barb. iii 664.
Angus off Ile … wndertuk his man to be, And him and his on mony wys … abandownyt till his serwice a1400 Leg. S. xix 113.
I haf thé [sc. the Devil] socht to be thi mane … blyth was he thane … in gret thank his seruice tuke c1420 Wynt. ii 1120.
Off thai landys … wes na promissyowne maide; Bot off thaire wyll to Josue In serwys thai walde oblysyde be 1456 Hay I 128/18 (see transf.). c1475 Wall. ix 1289.
A Scottis fyschar … Contrar his will gert him be to thaim suorn In thar seruice thai held him c1490 Porteous Noblenes 173/4 (A).
Sum till haf lordschipe and otheris to lif in subiectioun and seruis a1500 Bk. Chess 457.
The noble husband of this virgyne bricht Gart all hir kyn in seruice to him stand And maid him king & lord of all that landtransf. 1456 Hay I 128/22.
The king sendis to the said lord that he cum to his service as he is oblist till his lord. His fader on the tothir party sendis him mandement … that he cum to his service [etc.]

b. The allegiance, homage or fealty offered by a vassal to a superior, freq. mak service. 1375 Barb. ii 183.
The lord the Bruce … haid Off his freyndis a gret menȝhe, & syne to Scone … raid he And wes maid king … Bot off thar nobleis, gret affer, Thar seruice na thar realte Ȝe sall her na thing now for me Owtane that he off the barnage That thidder come tok homage c1420 Wynt. v 5030.
The Romanys … bettyr had bene mony wys For till have made thare wont serwys To the Gottys, than [etc.] c1420 Wynt. vi 42.
This Pape Gregore … entyrdytyd all trewage All serwys fra hym, and homage Off all the landis off Ytaly c1420 Wynt. viii 2136.
Off castellis, bowrowys, and fortalys The grettast made hym thare serwys ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 6.
Hary of Ingland … askit … At King Robert quhy he nocht maid Him seruice for his landis braid … He said he aucht of heretage In Loundoun for to mak homage 1533 Boece 440b.
Sweno … chargeit thai suld … owther dispone thame for husband lauboure or to Danis mak seruice 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 98b.
Service of lands sould be made to the lord or maister … . The overlord may not craue the service fra his vassall vntill he haue first receaved his homage

c. The fealty promised in a bond, esp. of manrent.Also, coupled with manrent, also, once, manhede, and lawté.See Manrent n. 1, also Manrentschip n. and Manhed(e n. 4, for further examples.(1) 1545 Montgomery Mem. II 131.
Me Duncan McFarland … bindis and oblissis me … to becum man and seruand to … Hew Maister of Eglintoun and … sall do him the best seruice I can quhen I am chargit … thairto bayth in heyland and in lawland … the said maister … to gif me my sustentatioun salang as he requiris me to remane in his seruice 1545 Montgomery Mem. II 138.
Geif it sall happin … that I [etc.] … falȝis … in our serwice, or laute, or kyndnes … then … I [etc.] … bindis and oblisis ws … till renunce … all richt … in and to the forsaid twaye merk land 1549–50 Breadalbane Doc. No. 71.
In … takyng of thair faithfull seruis and band 1558 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 17.
The said Robert … to pay ȝeirly to me ane chaldir of meill induirand my servicepl. 1408 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 68.
That he sal entir than in to the seruices of the forsaide erll 1408 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 68.(2) 1474 Reg. Morton II 221.
Me Hev of Douglas … becummys … James Erle of Mortoun … man in speciale manrent and seruice 1486 Bk. Carlaverock II 446.
The faith ande treuthe in myn bodie, … oblisis me in manrent ande seruicie, baith in peix ande in we[ir] 1549 Bk. Carlaverock II 476.
My band of speciall manrent and seruice(3) 1499 Liber Aberbr. II 324.
Me maistir James Dovglas vicar of Abirbrothoc to be bundin … til … Dauid Abbot off Abirbrothoc ande … convent … in lawtay ande service to be done … be resone off [etc.]

2. The duty in return for which land might be held of a superior, chiefly military service, also attendance in the superior's court and various forms of labour. Also attrib.Also service aucht and custumit (custume), aucht and wunt service, (= L. servitium debitum et consuetum): see Regesta I Introd. 56. See Aw v. 5 b for further examples. Also service used and wont.Also Dew service, id., and for further examples see Arrage n. (a), Average n. and Cariage n. 2 b.(1) c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
That I sall gif hym my charter vndir my seyll wyth al clavse & al fredome pertenand to blancheferme of a peny gif it be askyt … for al vthir charge or seruyse in name of blancheferme … of al the landys of the Plat … I graunt alswa … at the forsayde Alayne … be fre of vmage soyte & al seruyse of the twa plewland of Norton … sa that he hald thayme in fre blancheferme 1456 Hay I 193/8.
Gif a baroun haldis of twa lordis his landis … to quhilk of thaim twa suld he mak erest service? 1496–7 Acta Conc. II 46.
The saidis landis of Cokburne halding of thame be the sade Jhone be service of ward and releiff 1512 Reg. Privy S. I 367/1.
That … baith fre tennentis, malaris and utheris … cum with him to our service in all our oistis and weris 1549 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 434.
Assedatioun … of the lands … of Kynmonde … to Thomas Downe … Payand heirfor [etc.] … and vthir dew seruice vsit and wont, togyddyr with seruice in ostijng and vthir generall raidis furneist thairto efter the forme and styill of the schyir c1575 Balfour Pract. 432.
Gif thay retour the landis to be haldin in blanche ferm thay beand of veritie haldin be service of ward and relief 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II 133.
To haif … set … to oure welebelouittis James [etc.] … oure town and landis callit Wester Drymme … Thay payand thairfor [etc.] … and sall furnis ane furnist spere … in all hostyngis, raidis, or assemblais in the autoriteis seruice 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Milites.
Militare servitium, knichtes service, is that maner of halding of lands, quhilk is called, service of ward and relieue(2) 1446 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 106.
That the said land of Caldhame and possessour and tenent of it aw … to the said lord and his courtis soit and seruice thris in the ȝeir at thre heid courtis 1476 Prestwick B. Rec. 27.
Thar salbe na mos na mwr of thar fredome set to na out man for na siluir out takand the out burges makis seruis to the curt 1513 Reg. Privy S. I 382/2.
He fyndand ane soytour for his landis, gif he aw ony, to do the king service in his justice-airis 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 273.
Thai ar na tennentis to do nore aw to him nothir soyt nore seruice for the saidis landis 1539 Red Bk. Grandtully I 70.
All the said landis war ane haldyng, wytht ane sut [and] ane seruice c1575 Balfour Pract. 275.
The fre tenentis thairof aucht na suit, presence nor uther service in the schiref-court … bot alanerlie [etc.] 1669 Galloway P. 3 Oct.
[He is] to be subject to the barron courts of Carswall and to answer thereat sutte and service in all causes either civill or cryminall(3) [1240 Highland P. II 123] (see 1 above). 1392 Lennox Mun. 47.
The sayde erill sal delyuer … possessioune of the sayde landis … to thair hayris … outakyn the seruys tyl hym acht and customyt 14.. Acts I 30/2.
Na man may be the kyngis burges bot gif he may do service to the kyng of als mekyl as fallys til ane rude of lande 1431 Buccleuch Mun. II 29.
Makand haucht and wont seruis for the sayd landys ays hayfis beyn doyn … in tym gayn by 1450 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 135.
The quhilk [sc. tenants] sal mak service to the lordis miln and smithy as oyse and custome is 1472–3 Reg. Cupar A. I 168.
The sade Wilȝam beand alegyt and fre of al aucht and wunt seruys 1504–5 Liber Melros II 601.
And the said abbot producit his register that the said landis ar gevin to thame without secular seruice 1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 29.
Ane chartour of aleanatioun … to be halden of oure souerane leady in frie burgaig for payment ȝeirlie of seruic of burghe 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. i 507.
Operumaue laborem partibus … iustis, service, deargis, labour in equall pairtis 1574 Edinb. Test. III 103b.
Seruice of sex hors in harrowing tyme … the seruice of sex hors in mukking tyme 1587 Rec. Earld. Orkney 313.
Likuayis for trew … service to be done be thame … his lordship … haue … grantit … all and haill thair uthall lands [etc.] … And gif in caice the gentilmen … beis fundin … nocht to do thair deuetefull and trew service to his lordship … as becummit trew servandis and wassalis, in that caice [etc.] 1604 Urie Baron Ct. 5.
The … ordinance of curt … conserning the detfull serwice that is to be crawet of euerie tennent … according to thair sett and laboring 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 41.
That land sall remaine in that friedome vntill his thrid heire … And … his heires sall not be oblissed to make anie homage therefore … After the thrid heire that land sall make service vsed and wont, and homage sall be vsed therefore 1627 Rep. Parishes 138.
The worth of the rent of the roumes for the present can not be sett … at the instance of the laird of Drumlangrig. By that ane greit pairt of the parochin payis nocht but daily servicepl. 1381 Douglas Chart. 29.
All hir thrid of the landes rentez and possessiouns forsaid witht courtes eschetez seruicez of fretenantez and natyves 1566 (1585) Reg. Great S. 287/1.
Ane gude service of ane hors with ane cart in mukingtyme ane day … togidder with uther services callit leid cariage usit and wontattrib. 1621 Misc. Spald. C. V 222.
It is statuit and ordeanit … with consent of the haill tennents that pays service to the mainse … that ewery persone … that dissobeys to cum … to thair service … sall amit and tyne for ilk servand that salbe abstractit fra the said service ane day, ane pecc of thair service meill

b. Service-silver, money paid as commutation for service. 1643 Misc. Spald. C. III 146.
That all custoumes, grassoumes, service silver and all uther commodities … sall be given up as rent for this instant crope

c. A requirement, more generally, something performed as a result of an obligation or in return for some benefit. ?1438 Alex. ii 3158.
‘Vassale,’ he sais … 'Thow sall of him weill vengit be, And thow sall serue ws with gude will.' Said Gaudifere, ‘baith loud and still Wpone the best wyse that I may.’ ‘Sic seruice,’ said the king, ‘perfay, Is gude and thankfull, that sa sone Is foroutin dangere done’ 1456 Hay I 44/16.
And alssa he [sc. King Ferniclin, King of Rome] ordanyt that every man of his contree maid him ȝerely sum service, the quhilk was nocht wont to be done before and tharefore … Tarquyn slewe him 1533 Gau 17/3.
Thay that wil noth help thair nichtburs in thair necessite and wil notht len to thayme in thair mister without okker mony or seruice or raward 1594 Writers Signet 231.
The saidis writteris … salbe friemen … and nawyis be subject to ony uthir particulare service 1644 Kirkwall Sheriff Ct. Act Bk. in Orkney Antiq. Soc. III 61.
Anent [pr. and] the behaviour and cairage of the bailȝe in his office & vplifting of his services and day woorks 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 125.
His lordship shall grant … the magistrates to be crowners within themselves … with … ane exemption from all service to the stewart passing upon the stewart's assises [etc.]

3. The condition of serving another or being in his employment, as a household servant, personal attendant, secretary, etc. c1420 Wynt. viii 1872.
And all othir Inglis men Off serwys, or off crafftis then Off all condytyown, or off age Bathe yhowng and awld … owt off Scotland wes put a1500 Seven S. 28.
The empriour … at him couth speire Gif he wald tak his sone to leire He said my souerane lord … This mony ȝeire in ȝour seruis Wnder promyt of gud reward [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 838.
The tother [sc. a knight] for his sparing Was tane in seruice to the king And sone efter maid governour 1505 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 107.
That ony maner of vagabounds young fallowis or young husis haffand na prettik nor seruice to life vpon … at thai … pas furth of the samyn within xxiiij houris les than thai pas in service or sum honest gyding to sustene theme a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 444.
In Parise wyth the maister buriawe Abyde, and be his prentice … Thare is na lorde that will in service tak thé c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 123/3.
Schir, ȝit remember … How that my ȝouthe is done … In ȝour service … Gud conscience cryis reward thairfoir 1531 Bell. Boece I vi.
I wes in service with the king; … Clerk of his comptis … Quhill hie invy me from his service kest 1540 Aberd. B. Rec. MS XX (Jam.).
Sche dischargit hir of hir said seruice and gaif hir hir leif 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 110/11.
To charge you to præferre speciallie to youre seruice samonie as treulie haue seruid me 1612 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 94.
Ane great number of ȝoung women gettand bairnis in service and passand out of service 1618 Reg. Privy C. XI 380.
Ony boy newlie enterit in service or paigerie 1621 Perth Kirk S. 3 Dec.
Patrik Pitcarne to admoneiss hir … aither to marye or than pas to seruice wtheruayis that scho will nocht be sufferit to duell be hir self 1636 Dumbarton B. Rec. 51.
Johne M'Kynnie for giving a lye to the proveist, to be put in the stokkis … and afterwards to enter service 1669 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 16.
Iff any woman servant be out of honest service to such as requyres, that the woman servant paye fyve pound … vnto the bailyies … within fyftein dayes nixt after the said … woman servant be knowne to be out of service 1677 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 247.
Serweice 1697 Old-lore Misc. IX 50.
The servant fies presently in my service without doores

b. specif. As an employee, chiefly an apprentice or journeyman, of a craftsman. 1473 Edinb. B. Rec. I 27.
Onie alienare or stranger of the samyn craft he sall mak ane peis of sufficient wark at the sicht of the maisteris … that beand done he sall remaine yeir and day in service for fie as they can accord 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I 215.
That na maister of the said craft [sc. bakery] sall take ony childer in service thairat … but gif they be prentices 1525 (1527) Reg. Great S. 97/1.
Gif ony feman of the said craft pass furth of the toun or his band of his service be worne furth, that [etc.] 1596–7 St. A. Baxter Bks. 61.
That Dauid Ryckert gett na seruice within ony baikhous in this citie quhill [etc.] 1647 Grant Chart. 241.
At the expyring and ishewe of the said fywe yeiris serwice to … pay to the said James Grant … quhatsomewer sowmes of money he bestowes … wpon me for my learing

4. The action of serving another in some (regular) capacity as in prec. sense; the performance of the duties of a household or a farm servant, a hired attendant or workman, or the like.(a) c1460 Consail Vys Man 372.
Be weill-wyllyt in thin office For heritage is na seruice a1500 Henr. Fab. 2602.
Richt swa in seruice vther sum exceidis 1500 Reg. Privy S. I 87/2.
To Nanynek Dierxsoun and Robert Stanele, browstaris, for thare service to be done to the kingis henes in thare craft of browstary c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 206/16, 17.
To ask but service hurtis gud fame, To ask for service is not to blame c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 71/3.
Men makis in court thair solistationes Sum be service and diligence Sum [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 148/53.
For he hes lang maid service thair in vane 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 275.
Item … to twa servitouris send … to labour one the mind, takand ilk mane in the wolk v s. … xx s. Item, to thame for service doyne, vij s. vj d. 1513 Doug. xi Prol. 173.
Lyke as quha offendit had hys lord, That lang tofor hys trew servand had bene [etc.] … all thocht hys lord wald meyn On hys ald seruyce [etc.] 1529 Stirling B. Rec. I 36.
To … Jhon Kowtis masone … for his idand and contynuall gud serwice yerly to be done c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 94b/50.
And pay ilk man thair conding wege According to thair gud seruyis 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 389.
And quhou fonde fenȝeit fulis and flatteraris For small seruyce optenith gret rewardis 1542 Prestwick B. Rec. 58.
Accusyt Roben Housoun for falt of seruice fra anuncetioune of our Lady to the dayt of this wryt quhylk at he ys feyt servand [etc.] … The jugis contenewis the price of the dawork bigane and ordanis Roben Housoun to intyr to his seruice agane & mak gud seruice quhyl his terme 1547 Treas. Acc. IX 89.
To x pyonarres that awatit upoun service and gat na wages 1549 Compl. 141/30.
In conquessing of reches, be marchandreise or [etc.] … or be lauboryng of the corn landis or be seruise 1561 Misc. Maitl. C. II 300.
Alisone Ramsay to content and pay to Jonet Somerwell viij s. for seruice maid be hir to the said Alisone 1572 Inverness Rec. I 215.
The said Andro to fend and meit him according to his serwice as ane serwand aucht to be done to 1577 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 30.
The ewill seruice done at the ferie boit throw sleuth and delay of the bottaris 1640 Philorth Baron Ct. I 69 (11 Feb.).
Hir service beinge sert betwixt Mertimes 1639 and Witsunday 1640 with the said Michaell Third 1647 Alloa Kirk S. in Sc. Ant. III 18.
For service at letron and to the beddall the tuo comunion dayes 1697 Old-lore Misc. IX 52.
Wages. Man's ‘service’, 1 year, 6 firlots [etc.] … man's ‘service’ to house, 1 boll [etc.] … cotter's ‘service’, 1 year, 1 boll(b) 1549 Buccleuch Mun. II 191.
Allsemekill feis … as [he] had for his serues dowin to ws 1562 Perth Hammermen 95.
The said Williame … to instruk … the said Thomas in … cutler craft … And the said Thomas to mak gude and sufficient serveis to his said maister

b. (The performance of) the duties attached to any particular task, position or post. c1420 Wynt. iv 1607.
All thaire senatowrys … Behuwyd to be in thare serwys Informyd and kend, as ȝhong nowys c1420 Wynt. v 781.
Thai papys twa He [sc. St. Peter] despensyt wytht … to do the serwys all That to the Pape off rycht suld fall c1420 Wynt. v 1634.
Judas … wes noucht put off his offyce Bot bade and dyde furth his service Amang the Appostyllys 14.. Burgh Laws c. 55 (A).
The buchour that makis sic seruis sall et at the burde of thaim that he makis the seruice to with thair serwandis ?14.. Ship Laws c. 25 (B).
Of a schipman falland seke. It fallys that ivil cummys suddanly to schipmen doand thair serviis … the maystyr is haldyn to ger hald hym on the land ?14.. Ship Laws c. 24 (B).
Gyfe the maystyr sendis his man in ony serviis of his schyp and he … tak ony hurte he sal be helyt of the schip gude 1523 Murray Kilmacolm 13.
And quhen the said Sir William may nocht mak servis [sc. as curate] in the parochin, he sal cause ane other to mak servis for him 1536 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 139.
To fynd sufficient seruice in tymys cummyn to said office of dempsterry in all curtis 1584 Acts III 366/2.
Maister Alexander Dunbar … ane of the senatouris ordinar of his maiesteis college of iustice … subiect to sindrie infirmeteis … is not able to continew in the seruice albeit gude will inlakis not 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V 25.
He satisfeand [ … ] the intrant regent in his place for the monethis service to be maid before the said terme 1628 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire II 195.
James Thomsone … hes … learnit his craft … and now is becum abill to mak service to any honest man for meill and fie 1635 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XVII 319.
To William Bell [etc.] … for thair service of the jeyle 1699 Dundee B. Laws 353.
Handfasting with those that ar joyne with us in our beakhouses … long befor they enter them to ther work and services

c. (Cote, bage) of service, insignia of the office or position held. 1667 Inverness Rec. II 232.
That his [sc. the jailer's] coat and bage of service be takin from him be the hangman at the toun croce

d. The office of a miller or his assistant. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 53 (A).
Quhat euer he be that seruis in the kingis millis … to the mene that cumis to the mylne with thar corne the masteris sal tak the multeris & the seruice to the mene that bringis thar corne to the mylne & rychtwise multer tak & lelly serf til ilkane in ilk stede of the mylne 1461 Peebles B. Rec. I 141.
Geif the said Andro worthis vanton and wnchersiabill in his common seruis [sc. as miller], and vyl nocht mak gud seruis 1519 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 52.
Anent the setting of thair commone myll … to be seit to the uter awaill and mast profet … to burges … . And the takaris of the said myll oblesand thaim to uphald the said myll in wod, irne and stane, and gud and dew service doand to ilk mane as efferis 1557 Digest Justiciary Proc. B 141.
In the violent occupeing … of the service of the millerschip and knaifschip of Dalsangane mylne 1558 Melrose Reg. Rec. III 160. 1577 Crown Chart. MS (Reg. H.).
All and haill thair mylne … with the multure knaifschip suckynnis & haill seruice tharof 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V 38. 1628 Glasgow B. Rec. I 365.
[£20 given to the miller] becaus … he brak his leg … and ducht not attend his service to his great lois

e. The assisting of workmen by labourers, ? espec. by fetching and carrying; also ? building materials as fetched in this way. 1533–4 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 115.
Thua quareouris and ten men with thame to red the quarell and mak the quareouris service 1629 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 295.
Ane blok with ane yrone cleik to set the service over the wall 18 s. 4 d.

5. The condition of being a slave or serf, servitude. c1420 Wynt. v 857.
The Romanys alway thoucht That the Jowys na thing doucht To be haldyn in serwyce 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 86b.
Maister, or lord, tynes the service of his servant, or bondman, in the samine maner and way, that the servant recovers his liberty 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 98b.
Servant, bondman, slaue … Ane man being haldin as ane slaue in service may seik his liberty

6. a. The condition of serving, aiding, supporting by way of allegiance, or acting as an agent, follower, emissary, etc. of a superior or authority.There is some overlap with sense 1. 1375 Barb. xx 236.
The gud lord of Douglas … knelit to the king … 'I thank ȝow gretly lord … Off mony larges … That yhe haff done me … Sen fyrst I come to ȝour seruice' a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 464.
For thu nixt God is my fadir … For-thi I wil lewe be na wyse Thi cumpany na thi seruice. Fore quhare thu gays wil I ga … His master … in his hart gret joy he mad Quhene he the gret deuocione Of hyme herd 14.. Acts I 108/2.
Nane indytyt sal be essonȝeit befor the iustice of Scotland … bot allanerly he be in the kyngis service 1456 Hay II 68/17 (see Servand(e n. 2 (1)). 1515–16 Reg. Privy S. I 411/2.
Robert, Bischop of Ross, quhilk passis in the kingis ambassate and service to the king of France and uther princes 1532 Reg. Privy S. II 190/1.
His ythand and deligent lawbouris maid in our service in our justice-airis 1553 Edinb. B. Rec. II 277.
Thomas Cok … beand in Leith in the townis service uptakand the wyld aventors 15.. Clar. iii 1497.
All that ȝour father pat in the kingis cervice, Sir Thomas hes put out on felloun wayis 1566–7 Reg. Privy S. V ii 274/1.
Oure soverane lady remembrand that scho hes oft … employit in hir service hir richt traist … servitour Robert Mailvile … betuix hir hienes … the quene of England quhairintill he has sustenit greit laubouris and maid large expensis unrecompensit … willing that he sall nowthir repent him of his service past nor yit [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I 170/3.
The prudent lordis counsall was refussit and thair souns absent from the kingis seruice 1597 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 6.
Thair is nane liuing quha caryis a mair … trew hairt to your seruice 1611 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I 270.
I sall never irk to bestow this body … in your maiesties service 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 182.
Als littil regairding the weale and service of his natural princesse … doing what in him lay to alienat fra hir service … be his liing … & vntreuths these whose servise wes more nor necessar than to the queene 1639 Baillie I 117.
I doe truely think that the only way to save the king's authority among us, yea, to keep this poor kingdome whole and intire to his service [etc.]

b. The action or actions of a supporter, etc. in offering allegiance, loyalty, specific acts of service, etc. Also transf. and proverb.(a) 1375 Barb. ii 174.
He [sc. Douglas] serwyt ay lelely, And the tother [sc. Bruce] … Rewardyt him weile his seruice [: wys] 1400 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 44.
Fore swilk honest seruice as I may do efter my power to yhour noble lordship c1420 Wynt. Prol. 56.
This tretys … I made at the instans of a larde That hade my serwys in his warde 1465 Wigton Archives in Tytler Hist. Scotl. II 388.
That the said lord Flemyng salbe of special service, and of cunsail to the kyng 1456–70 Acts XII 27/1.
Owr baronry … the quhilkis we gaif owr at the compositioun for his gud seruice and gud nychtbourschype 1492 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 37.
For his gud seruice doyne and for to be doyne c1490 Porteous Noblenes 177/17 (A).
This lady Worthines will resaif na seruice nor faith of tham that be lang tyme travalis bot for wynnyng of gudis c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 206/21.
He that dois all his best servyis May spill it all with crakkis and cryis, Be fowll inoportunitie 1515 Douglas Corr. 72.
Our servys salbe hys before all uther mann levyng 1554–5 Corr. M. Lorraine 395.
The quyneis grace hes ane ewyll opponȝeone of my serwice touerts hyr grace … And gyff I culd knaw quhat serwyce mycht be exceptabyll to hyr grace the deid suld mak hyr grace onedyrstand my trew mynd and affectione touertis hyr grace serwyce 1570 Leslie 227.
The quene … declaring that those quhilk schowed thair guid willes in atcheving thairof, suld do to her most aggreabill service 1598 Glasgow Weavers 14.
Thai ar bund to serve yeirlie ilk ane of thame to be officiar to the craft for the space of ane yeir … and thai all desyrit earnestlie to be fred of the service … and ilk ane of thame to pay for thair fredome of the officiar servitor 1610 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 118.
As for my going to Scotland your majestie knaws the cheif occatione of my stay and what can mak me hable … to do you seruice 1627 Rep. Parishes 197.
For the most pairt of thaim selfes or predecessoris bought the kyndlines with thair bluid and good service(b) 1533 Douglas Corr. 142.
And qwat plesir or sarwis ȝe wyl command me wyt I sal be rede to fowlffil the same 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii 197.
Albeit gude saruice be not tane in seasoun, His workes may witnes [etc.]pl. 1596 Anal. Scot. I 330.
Being willing hartilie to embrace the guid sarvices quhilk he may and desyris to do unto ustransf. 1604 Laing MSS 100.
The pryce of ane broune neag quhilk is deid in his majesteis service in careing of M^cGregorproverb. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 102.
Thocht it bene better, as sayis the wyse, Hape to the court nor gude seruyce

c. Our service also applied by James VI appar. = the maintenance of peace and good government (? as maintained by the crown's officers). 1597 Warrender P. (SHS) II 328.
The … Erll of Huntlie is in the place of ane shereff and magistrat under ws quhairby he hes maist mister of guid counsale for advancement of our service and keiping of gud ordour in the cuntrey quhairfor … it is our will to appoint to him ane counsale of baronis … quhous advyse the said erll sall subject him selff to follow in all wichtie effaires of the cuntrey and concerning our publict service 1597 Warrender P. (SHS) II 328.
Fyftlie forsamekle as our service is gretumlie hinderit be the deidlie feadis amang our subjectis 1608 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I 127.
That amongis these ministeris some hes kyithed crosseris of our service and the churches quyetnes

d. In various formulae of salutation, leave-taking or acquiescence, from the point of view of the addresser or, more rarely, the addressee.(1) c1466–80 Letter from Lord Hamilton.
& the best that can be gottyn ȝhe sall haf wyth all our hartly seruis a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1292.
With gudly entent Ay to your presence to persew with al my seruice 1527 Douglas Corr. 118.
I reccommend my humyll service unto ȝour celsitude 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 108.
Eftyr most humyll recommendations of my sarves unto yowr grace 1547 Corr. M. Lorraine 182.
Sarwyce 1550 Hist. Carnegies I 29.
Your gracis hwmyll cowsyng, with serwyce leffwlly 1575 Douglas Corr. 200.
Your lordships to command with sarvyse, Cuth. Collanwood 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 73.
Sir, efter may hertllay comandaceione and serweis, this to lat yow onderstand that [etc.] 1696 Stirling B. Rec. II 81.
The lords of his majesties privy councill … were pleased to give the toun their heartie service for their affection to the government(2) ?1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 319.
To that effect that I may await ther efter at grettar lasar upone youre graicis service 1619 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 81.
He answered, at hir serueice, and two thrie idle questions mirrilie

7. Ministration or assistance of some practical sort rendered to another; personal attendance. b. An instance of this, an act of assistance or a task performed. c. Used ironically where the intention is to do harm. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 141.
[Mary] mad hir [sc. Elizabeth] seruice mony gate c1420 Ratis R. (STS) 1077.
Of swet seruice and gret bewtee … With faire sembland … [etc.] … With plesandnes of perfyt persone. Sice ar the perellus merouris Entisand ȝonge men til amouris c1475 Wall. ix 131.
Luk at thow stand strekly be this tre, Quhen I bid stryk, to seruice be thow bane, Quhen I thé warn, lat draw the saill agane 1481 Peebles B. Rec. I 188.
At the … curat haf ane of the principall forchameris of the said tenement mast ganand for the seruice of the parochanaris at thar call in tym of neid a1500 Colk. Sow ii 68.
The said secound penny I sall gife thé For this ȝoung maid gif that thow will & sche With my favouris in tyme to cum also Thay agreit and thus I lat thame go This Colkelby nvreist hir in his hous Quich grew so fair and verry verteous So gentill in all hir [pr. his] gestis and appliable And sobir in seruice and amiable That [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 2706.
The fader the lawar … couth get The moder the towall on kneis set Bot than the king has gart thaim rys And chargit uther to mak seruis ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 110.
Think how Mary ȝeid to the hous of Zachare to wesy and mak seruice to hir ante Elizabeth that wes sex monethes gane with barne ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 227.
The angell come with meit, and refreschit and maid seruice to him c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 469.
I have ane secrete servand … That me supportis of sic nedis … Full mony semelyar sege wer service dois mak. Thoght I haif cair undir cloke … Ȝit haif I solace undir serk 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8413.
The father said thow fals misleirit knaif, Thow sall of vs sic seruice neuer haif 1622-6 Bisset I 19/9.
Ȝit o my meattis of curaige constant be My Muse, sall use thair service quhill sche dieb. 1375 Barb. v 519.
& he suld haiff for hys seruice Gyff he fullfillyt thar diuice Weill fourty pundis worth off land 1375 Barb. x 548.
Ik wndertak for my seruice To ken ȝow to clymb to the wall c1420 Wynt. vii 3001.
This Schyre Willame at Forfare That nycht wes layte at the supare Wyth the qwene and hyr to chawmyre led … Fra he had made the serwys to the qwene, on na kyn wys Mycht he bodyly thare [sc. in Haddington] haue bene 1460 Hay Alex. 3465.
Fare schir … take this ambassade … For [thocht] ȝe had neuer vther seruice made Till Alexander ȝe seruit ȝoure warisoun ?1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 303.
And gyf your grace pleis to command me to ony service in to the partis quhare I am bown to I salbe reddy at your gracis charge a1578 Pitsc. II 32/3.
Thair good serwice and labouris that they had maid to him in the conquessing of the landis of Scottland 1594 Warrender P. (SHS) II 270.
Notes of the lieutenantis procedinges … All suspect personis war summoned [etc.] … Gif any day wes omitit quhairin we haif nocht doun sum necessar service [etc.] 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 13/19.
In what special sorts of seruices he [sc. the Devil] bindes himselfe to be subject vnto them … as … curing of disseases [etc.] 1600 Red Bk. Grandtully I lxxxi.
For his lait seruice done being at the preserving of oure persoun fra the lait conspiracie of vmquhile Johnne sumtyme Erle of Gowrie [etc.] a1658 Durham Scandal (1740) xi.
How he, who once by our unity and one shoulder-service did make us beautiful as Tirza … and terrible as an army [etc.] 1686 Dunlop P. III 22.
The Lord gif you to me and I am content to gif you to Him agen; if He haf ani serfis for your [sic in pr.] in that plesc. ?1438 Alex. i 1500.
Bot and Emynedus … May sie his poynt … He thinkis that he sall him quyte As for sic seruice sic merite [F. Il li rendra merite conme de tel labor] 1460 Hay Alex. 2109.
I mak ane wow … That I sall at the feist be in that hall, To mak seruice to Cleopateras, And till hir eame the senescall Ionas That better war thai haid nocht cumin thair. I sall pay thame thair tochir or thai fare a1500 Henr. Fab. 438.
I [sc. the fox] come bot heir seruice to ȝow [sc. the cock] to mak, Wald I not serue to ȝow it wer bot blame As I haue done to ȝowr progenitouris Ȝour father oft fulfillit hes my wame a1500 Henr. Fab. 2186. c1475 Wall. v 754.
A woman tald how thai his hors had schent … He folowid fast and said, ‘Gud freynd, abid, Seruice to tak for thi craft in this tyde’ a1500 Seven S. 2771.
Quhidder scho man or woman be And quhat seruice wnder coloure He maid my fader the emprioure

8. Applied to the attentions paid by a lover. Also personified. ?1438 Alex. ii 2495.
That I sall neuer win my drowry Nouther for gift nor for na seruyce ?1438 Alex. ii 3088.
Ȝit quhen he had serued hir lelely And throw fare seruis and courtessy … To pleis hir in all thing [etc.] a1500 Lanc. 166.
Myne hart none othir bissynes Haith bot my ladice seruice c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 197/34.
All wemen of us suld haif honoring, Service and luve, aboif all uthir thing a1568 Scott xxii 6.
Howbeid my tyme I wair Alhaill in ȝour scherwyce [: nyce], Ȝe compt nocht of my cair a1568 Scott xxvii 43.
I sall persew, With subiect scherwyice every sessone a1568 Bann. MS 212b/62.
I will hir luve … And mak hir serwice suthlie incertane a1568 Bann. MS 213a/12.
And quhen thow maj prophir hir thy serwis a1568 Bann. MS 256a/22.
I sall await on hir serwyis [: wyis] a1568 Bann. MS 264b/46.
My hony my joy … I hald me speciall for ȝour man With all the serwice that I can 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xi 36.
I … for my paines reaps wndeserwed disdain. My serwice sche doth thus regaird, Thocht I plead in vainpersonified c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 27/46.
Fair Service … Haif pety of ȝour presoneir

9. Military service, the condition of being a soldier or the action of fulfilling the obligations or duties of being a soldier, freq. to be in (one's, the king's, etc.) service. Cf. 2 above. ?1438 Alex. ii 2794.
Bot with his men he hated is That sall him serue of sic seruis 1456 Hay I 117/9.
Quhat knycht or capitane that takis wagis of a lord and levis him or he have maid service detfully tharfore 1456 Hay I 142/5.
Quhethir gif thai may … ask tobe payit of thaire wagis for the tyme of thair service or nocht 1456 Hay I 148/24.
Ansueris the souldioure … and be the law I may put ane als worthy in ȝour service as my self 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 358.
That the sade Georg was in the kingis service at ane day trew 1643 Acts VI i 45/2.
And men with airmes and furniture fitting for service 1644 Baillie II 166.
The Londoners, and others, as is their miskent custome, after a piece of service, got home 1646 Acts VI i 627/1.
To lieutenant generall David Leslie … ten thousand pundis … for his service at Philiphauche 1665 Glasgow Weavers 30.
Anthonie Tode … went out in the tounes service and was taikin prisoner at Innerkething feght 1667 Highland P. II 34.
John … was shot throw the coat of mailȝie yet never knew himself hurt till he came of service 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 417.
The collonel sent one Captain Montgomry north in June and had very good luck listing many for the service

b. A particular period of military service, passing into a military operation, expedition or campaign. 1494 Acta Conc. I 377/2.
The said erle wes in our souerane lordis speciale seruice on the bordouris 1592–3 Reg. Privy C. V 56.
Thay past fordwart in his henes service toward the north pairtis in Februar last bipast 1605 Reg. Privy C. VII 91.
For the better and mair effectuall prosequution of his hienes service intendit against Kintyre and the West Ilis 1613 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 131.
Actis of counsale … sett down at the undertaking of this seruice wherby the noumbers of men of warre ordained to be listed for that seruice 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 166.
A commissioune of liftenendrie … for suppressing of the rebellion in Ila with suche uthers … chearges as he thocht fitte for the furtherence of this seruice 1614 Melrose P. 178.
I assure your lordship, the cannonar hes don his dewtie in this seruice 1626 Justiciary Cases I 59.
To depart of this cuntrie … to serve in his maiesteis weiris beȝond sees … to be put abuird of the schip with the remanent souldiouris conducet for his maiesteis seruice 1639 Dumbarton B. Rec. 58, 59.
Roll of the soldiers sent out be the toun for the comoun service on the 8th of May 1639 … The proveist [etc.] … engages to relieff the armet men sent furth of the burgh gif the service continues langer nor ae month 1666 Laing MSS 354.
And if carabins sould be had for the 5 troups it voild advans the serves much

c. Hors of seruice, service-hors, a military or a combat-horse, a ‘great horse’ or war horse. 1581 Acts III 225/2.
Of intentioun to mak merchandice of the saidis horsis being … small naigis and na horsis of seruice c1650 Spalding II 416.
Besydis thair cornis distroyit and eitten with seruice horss, and baggage horss also

10. The serving of God, etc. by acceptance of His authority, devotion, worship, furtherance of His cause, etc.; the honour thus accorded the object of devotion. Also transf. 1375 Barb. xx 425.
For hevynnys blys suld be thar mede Gyff that thai deyt in Goddis seruice a1400 Leg. S. xl 225.
He … many fra the feynd can fang, That in his seruice had duelt lang c1420 Wynt. v 2058.
Wytht Pontyus his sone, This Marchus … kennyd Cryst for thare creatoure, And dyd hym serwyce and honowre c1420 Wynt. v 4214.
This myrakill off oure swete Lady … oblysyt hym till hyr serwys c1420 Wynt. viii 1515.
In ekyng als off Goddis serwyce Scho fowndyt in Glasgw twa chapellanyis c1460 Thewis Wysmen 127.
To Goddis seruice thai are ay boune In mydlyng way of deuocioune 1490 Irland Mir. I 8/6.
Puttand all laubour and deligence to His empleseire & seruice 1490 Irland Mir. I 90/7.
For His laude, glore, honour and seruice He has maid … all kynd of creaturis 1551 Hamilton Cat. 39.
We will … tel … quharin standis the … principal service quhilk we aucht to God in our hartis 1567 G. Ball. 55.
To wirschip God with seruice trew a1568 Scott xxiv 5.
Off men I mene in scheruice [Bann. serwice] bene Of Venus quene a1568 Bann. MS 15b/1.
Prayar is the maist haly devyne serwice That man heir on erth vnto God may present 1581 Burne Disput. 133b.
Thay … leuit chaist al thair dayis that thay micht indeuor thame selfis haillelie to the seruice of God 1658 Sc. Ant. IX 51.
[She] hes confessed … hir paction with the diwell, that scho hes bein this long tym in his servicetransf. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 60/8.
A lusty lyfe in luves service bene 1562-3 Winȝet I 30/17.
We have mispent thaim [sc. holy days] fra the seruice of our God to the seruice of our belliis, and of thay memberis vnder the bellie … fra al the seruice of God requirit on the haly daye to the seruice of Sathan or of the warld

b. By the performance of religious rites, divine service. c. An instance of this, an act of worship. d. A form of service, a ‘use’.Also freq. divine service (see Divine adj. (2) for further examples), and Goddis service (see God n. 2 b for further examples).b. (1) a1400 Leg. S. xl 560.
[The bishop] to visy in quhat wyse The kirkmen did thar seruice Or hou lawit men can wirke In the treuth of haly kirke 1402 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 9.
A preste … singand in the saide kirk Goddis service lachfully for evirmar c1420 Wynt. v 1170.
Nevyr for to mak sacrifys, Na do thare honowre, na thare serwys Till mawmentys c1420 Wynt.vi 308.
With solempne and hey serwys He wes enteryd in Saynt Denys 1439–40 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 239.
The chaplane be quhylk at that alter for euermar sal do the seruice of Gode 1455 Ecclesia Antiqua 151.
I sal mak ministracion … in the paroche kirk … in divine servis … daili and continuali … gif the said baleyheis and counsale thinkis expedient that continuale service be made 1474 Peebles B. Rec. I 172.
Dowande ande makand sic dew seruis bath at awlter and in quere 1510 Reg. Privy S. I 312/1.
For suffrage and service to be done for the kingis fader and moder … at the altar of our Lady within [etc.] a1538 Abell 91b.
He that hes a parroch kirk with cuyr of saulis in his proper persone he mon mak seruice in it … for thai man mak residence in the principal kirk a1568 Bann. MS 96b/33.
Quhen he suld Godis serwice se 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 179/2.
For to decoir the seruice of God(2) 1496 Misc. Spald. C. V 32.
To singe … mes[i]s, matutinis [etc.] … and ale other houris and diuine service 1513 Doug. vi iii 110.
Onto the dolorus onsilly body Funeral seruyce completand by and by 1515 (1650) Dundee B. Laws 94.
Ane chaplaine, daylie to sing and say devine serwice, at the halie bluid altar 1533 Edinb. B. Rec. II 64.
Seruece 1533 Bell. Livy I 24/26.
This Romulus … was the favorare of divyne seruice lauchfully donec. 1375 Barb. xx 295 (C).
Bischoppes and prelatis that thar weir Assolȝeit hym, quhen the seruis Wes done c1420 Wynt. viii 1857.
Nane othir serwys that day herd he 1489 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 17.
Payand yerly … auchtene schillingis … to the chaplen that dais the seruice 1514 Aberd. B. Rec. I 88.
To sing in thar queir … in messis, matynis, and evinsangis, and vther devin seruices c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 160.
I will na seruice of the requiem 1558–9 Treas. Acc. X 416.
That nane of thame tak upoun hand to … do ony injure or violence, disturbe the service usit in the kirkis [etc.] 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 42.
Induring the service of the table 1597 Misc. Maitl. C. I 129.
The first bell to the secund service to knell at the end of the first service 1622-6 Bisset I 94/14.
So that the services and cuir of the saules … be nawyis neglectedd. c1515 Asl. MS I 198/17.
Ȝour prestis war changit in thar devyne seruice fra the use of Rome vnto a strater seruice that is callit Salisbery vse 1562 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 20.
That idoll and bastard service of God, the Mess

e. attrib. In senses b and c, in service-time, -day. a1500 Sir Eger 2671.
On the morn at service time The burgess came to see Sir Grahame 1651 Cramond Presb. Fordyce 25.
Use not … [the expression] ‘a service day’ for a day of celebratione of the Lord's Holy Supper

f. Service-book, the Book of Common Prayer of 1637. 1637 Dickinson Source-bk. III 92.
That we have followed the Service-Book of England 1637 Dundonald Par. Rec. 426.
The mater anent the Service Buik appointed to be vssit in all the kirks within this kingdome 1638 Chron. Perth 36.
Thair wes ane proclamatioun maid … at the croce of Striviling for ressauing of the seruice buik 1638 Lanark Presb. 11.
Their is great truble … by reason of a new service book … obtruded on the kirk by the bishopes 1638 Henderson Serm. 396.
The mass-book, and our service-book urged upon us whilk is a mass-book also 1640 Acts V 276/2.
First the pressing of this kirke by the prelatis with a service booke or booke of Commoun Prayer without warrand … from the kirke ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 4.
All ministers within Scotland were commanded to make use of the said Service Booke and read, or cause it publickly be read, in all parioch churches within the kingdom ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 26.
This petitione was censured … because they complaind of manglinge the English Service Booke

11. A post of ministering divine service (as in 10 b above) at a particular altar or chapel; the incumbency of such a post and its revenues; also, an endowment for the maintenance of divine service at an altar or church. 1444–5 Peebles Chart. 10.
He sal hafe na other service bot it [sc. of St. Michael's altar] oles na it be nocht ten markis 1447 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville) (Reg. H.).
I sal … gyef heretabyl … possession tyl our lady serwis of our lady yill of Lesmahago of fyfe markis worth of my landis 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I 126.
[He] sal be present and put in and to the first service that sal hapyn vacand in thair gouernans for his service now to begyn 1476 Ayr B. Ct. 6 May.
That Schir Wilȝam Housson chaplane sulde haf the seruice of Sanct Mychell awtar 1494 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 54.
Als lang as he seruit the morne seruice xx s. to ane mendment quhill his seruice be better thane it is 1544 Reg. Soltre 111.
For the ferst falt x s. the nixt falt x1 s. the thyrd falt deprywacioun of our seruice 1577 Reg. Privy S. VII 168/1.
[Gift … of the land of] the ladie service and chaiplanrie situat within the paroche kirk of Lochmaben 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III 160.
Fyve new staines of kaipis of fyne gold … perteining to the said kirk and service

12. The act of serving food or drink; the food, etc. served; also uninfl. pl. ? a quantity of food. Also ironically. a1400 Leg. S. xl 390.
He … saw the burdis thru the hale That seruice wes nane of cale c1420 Wynt. vii 1356.
Hys mynysterys that made hym than serwyce Prewaly put in his chalyce wenenows poysowne … Bot hastyly that haly man Deyd be swilk serwys than a1500 Henr. Fab. 346 (Bann.).
Thy gus is gud thy ganesall sour as gall, The subcharge of thy siruice is bot sair a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 209.
Thair myght seruice be sene with segis in saill a1500 Gol. and Gaw. 1338. 15.. Clar. iii 888.
They gart … make redie the supper And to it went … This ladie stude, and to thame service maid c1590 Fowler I 394/3.
Surpassinge sarueice alls of dentie d[i]shis thair With euerie kynd of costlie caics [etc.] 1597 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne 20 Jan.
Ane widcok blank for euil [sc. ȝule] seruice; item, ane partrik blank for evil seruiceuninfl. pl. 1558 Rentale Dunkeld. (SHS) 358.
In beif ane carcage and v service, 56 s.

b. A division of a meal brought to table at one time, a course of food served. a1578 Pitsc. I 244/11.
In the said bancat … betuix everie seruice thair was ane phairs or ane play 1600 Acts IV 205/2.
The erle commanded this deponar, Tak vp my dennar: and this deponar … tuk vp the first seruice

c. specif. A serving of water. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x 465.
Carrying a pot full of water … hee did powre it in my bellie … . The first and second seruices I gladly receaued such was the scorching drouth of my tormenting payne

d. Service plate, a serving dish. 1548 Edinb. B. Rec. II 136.
Ilk pund wecht of tin of the best chargeour seruice plaite conterfutt dysche trunscheour [etc.] 1646 Edinb. Test. LXII 45.
Twelf service plaitts weyand ane stane and ane half viij lib.

13. Said of things: The supplying of the needs (of a person or establishment); usefulness; serviceableness; use. Also to mak service, to be of use, to be serviceable.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xviii 1420.
The lyone mad the grawe in hy, With his clukis that ware mychty, … & sufficent to sic serwise [: dewyse] c1420 Ratis R. (STS) 232.
Thi handis … ar instrunentis [sic] wys And maid to serf of gud seruice 1456 Hay II 11/31.
And thareto was chosyn the horse, for the maist worthy and convenable and best rynnand, and maist hable for mannis service c1475 Wall. ix 1310.
Serwice off it [sc. a boat] Sotheroun mycht haiff no mayr — 1672 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 14 Dec.
For ane lantron to the serwice of the coalhill(2) c1420 Wynt. viii 4230.
Behynd thaim thai lefft na thyng That thare battis away mycht bryng: Alblastrys and bowys off vyse, And all thyng, that mycht mak serwyse c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 123/2.
Schir, at this feist of benefice Think that small partis makis grit service, And equale distributioun Makis thame content that hes 1551 Hamilton Cat. 252.
God, quhilk … causis the hevins, the sonne, the mone and the sternis to mak us service 1634 Maxwell Mem. II 252.
As for the muskattis and hagbuttis … thair ar nane of thame aibill to mak syrvice

14. The carrying out of the procedure of serving a brieve (Serv(e v.¹ 23, and see also Serv(e v.¹ 24, Serving vbl. n. 3 a).Also, the record of the inquest's deliverance following a process of serving a brieve.For many further examples, see 1681 Stair Inst. Index of Matters, s.v. Service; the Index to Acts XII, s.v. Service of Heirs, and Morison Dict. Decis., s.v. Service.A distinction was made between a general service, which established the right of a person served to be regarded as an heir generally, and a special service, which was specifically concerned with the inheritance of particular lands held of a superior. See Bell Dict. Law Scotl., s.v. Service of an heir, and the following: c1575 Balfour Pract. 645.
To this breve of successioun thair ar twa maneris of retouris or answeris reportit to the chancellarie; the ane general the uther special. The general retour beirand the defunct decessit at the faith and peace of the king; that D.C. is his narrest and lauchful air and that he is of lauchful age. This service is callit general service, or to be servit air in general … The special retour being ane direct answer to everie point of the said breve; the tryal quhairof is alswa to se gif the breve be dewlie and lauchfullie proclamit upon fiftene dayis warning [etc.] 1681 Stair Inst. iii v § 25 (1981) 703.
The general service is a complete establishing of the right in the person of the heir(1) c1575 Balfour Pract. 419.
And the judge not admittand him for his interes, proceid to the serving of the breve, the service, proces, sentence and all that followit thairupon is null c1575 Balfour Pract. 422.
Suppois the principal cause and service of the breve be stoppit and delayit be ressoun of the defendar's … les age c1575 Balfour Pract. 427. c1575 Balfour Pract. 436. 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Breve de morte antecessoris.
Be the auld law … the justice generall … was judg competent to the service of this brieue 1606 (1621) Acts IV 621/2.
For the proces of a speciall seruice to landis with the retoure extracted and sealled thairvpoun comprehending heirin [etc.] … the landis extend to a fourtie pund land or within [£4] 1610 Inverness Rec. II 76.
The prouest and bailȝies precept, quhairbe the personis of inquest follovs vair summond to this day to pas vpone the seruic for serving of the said James as nerest air to vmquhill the said Androv his father 1662 Rothesay B. Rec. 72.
The proveist and baillies desyret the persounes following to goe out upone the said service 1684 Decis. Lords F. 60.
Antonia Broun as heir to her father … having reduced the service upon minority and lesion [etc.](2) 1632 Cullen B. Ct. MS 6 June.
To comper for thame and in thair names conforme to thair said seruice, to resaue sesing of the croftis of land contenit in the said seruice, conforme thair to, actis & instrumentis to taik thairvpone

b. Brieve of service, a brieve designed to set in motion the process of ‘serving’ an heir to his inheritance. 1582–3 Burntisland B. Ct. 27 Feb.
And producit ane breiff of serwice direct fourth off the chapell off the regalitie of Dumfermlinge to the prowest and bailleis off this burght … tuicheinge the serwinge of him as narrest and lawfull air to … his fathir and to all his landis