serviceable

serviceable
serviceable “ready to do service,” early 14c., from O.Fr. serviçable, from servise (see SERVICE (Cf. service) (n.)).
Edgar: I know thee well: a serviceable villain,
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
["King Lear," Act IV, Scene vi, and "I Am the Walrus"]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Serviceable — Serv ice*a*ble, a. 1. Doing service; promoting happiness, interest, advantage, or any good; useful to any end; adapted to any good end use; beneficial; advantageous. Serviceable to religion and learning . Atterbury. Serviceable tools. Macaulay.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • serviceable — [sʉr′vis ə bəl] adj. [ME servisable < OFr] 1. that can be of service; ready for use; useful; usable 2. that will give good service, esp. in hard use; durable [a serviceable fabric] 3. Archaic willing to serve serviceability n. serviceableness… …   English World dictionary

  • serviceable — index constructive (creative), convenient, disposable, effective (efficient), functional, instrumental …   Law dictionary

  • serviceable — is spelt with an e in the middle, to preserve the soft sound of the c …   Modern English usage

  • serviceable — [adj] useful, functional advantageous, aiding, assistive, beneficial, convenient, dependable, durable, efficient, handy, hardwearing, helpful, invaluable, operative, practical, profitable, usable, utile, utilitarian, valuable; concept 560 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • serviceable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) fulfilling its function adequately; usable or in working order. 2) functional and durable rather than attractive. DERIVATIVES serviceability noun …   English terms dictionary

  • serviceable — [[t]sɜ͟ː(r)vɪsəb(ə)l[/t]] ADJ GRADED If you describe something as serviceable, you mean that it is good enough to be used and to perform its function. His Arabic was not as good as his English, but serviceable enough... A customer took a… …   English dictionary

  • serviceable — adjective Date: 14th century 1. helpful, useful 2. fit for use < a serviceable design >; also of adequate quality < her serviceable but not exceptional voice Irving Kolodin > • serviceability noun • serviceableness …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • serviceable — adjective 1) a serviceable heating system Syn: in working order, working, functioning, functional, operational, operative; usable, workable, viable Ant: unusable 2) serviceable lace up shoes …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • serviceable — serviceability, serviceableness, n. serviceably, adv. /serr veuh seuh beuhl/, adj. 1. capable of or being of service; useful. 2. wearing well; durable: serviceable cloth. 3. capable of being used, worn, cleaned, repaired, etc., easily. [1300 50;… …   Universalium

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