v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Subserved p. pr. & vb. n. Subserving. ] [ L. subservire; sub under + servire to serve. See Serve. ] To serve in subordination or instrumentally; to be subservient to; to help forward; to promote. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a great credit to know the ways of captivating Nature, and making her subserve our purposes, than to have learned all the intrigues of policy. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be subservient or subordinate; to serve in an inferior capacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not made to rule,
But to subserve where wisdom bears command. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]