service definition

<networking, computer programming> Work performed (or offered) by a server. This may mean simply serving simple requests for data to be sent or stored (as with file servers, gopher or http servers, e-mail servers, finger servers, SQL servers, etc.); or it may be more complex work, such as that of irc servers, print servers, X Windows servers, or process servers.

E.g. "Access to the finger service is restricted to the local subnet, for security reasons".

<botany> A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. Torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.

<botany> Service berry, the fruit of any kind of service tree. In British America the name is especially applied to that of the several species or varieties of the shad bush (Amelanchier)

Origin: Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. Serves, pl, service berries, AS. Syrfe service tree; akin to L. Sorbus.