3 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

deserve

verb: be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done" [syn: {merit}]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Deserved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deserving}.] [OF. deservir, desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See {Serve}.]

1. To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves praise.

God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. --Job xi. 6.

John Gay deserved to be a favorite. --Thackeray.

Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve reprehension. --Burke.

2. To serve; to treat; to benefit. [Obs.]

A man that hath So well deserved me. --Massinger.

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

deserve \de*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), verb (used without an object) To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.

One man may merit or deserve of another. --South.
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