The Meaning of Service

615 Words2 Pages

The Meaning of Service

Service is a word used constantly. The word service has an impression on many people. For example; people who work as lifeguards view their work as a service to the community. Naturally, based on working as a lifeguard their definition of service would be an action beneficial to the well-being of others. Not surprisingly, a similar definition was found in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Service is described in the Oxford English Dictionary as "the action of serving, helping, or benefiting; conduct tending to the welfare or advantage of another; condition or employment of a public servant; friendly or professional assistance." Furthermore, in Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, service is described as "the occupation or function of serving others; employment as a servant; contribution to the welfare of others.”

The above definitions seem like the only ones for the word service. There are actually at least two more different definitions. The first definition is "service tree" or "service berry." A service tree is "a tree native in co...

Open Document