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serveth

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Archaic third-person singular present form of "serve" (serves), meaning performs duties for, aids, or obeys a master, ideal, or deity.

Detailed Definition
Serveth is an older English verb form for “serves.” It appears in the poem’s opening line and gives the verse a biblical or archaic tone.
Example
Example in poetry:
“That serveth not another’s will” — Sir Henry Wotton, “The Character of a Happy Life”; “Whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” — biblical diction echoed in poetry; The faithful heart serveth love, in archaic phrasing; Modern paraphrase: the person who serves no one else’s will is free
Additional Notes
The form “serveth” is archaic spelling and grammar, so modern readers may pause even though the meaning is clear.; Found in the poem, The Character of a Happy Life by Sir Henry Wotton
Also Known As
serves aids assists
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