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deserve

[dih-zurv] /dɪˈzɜrv/
verb (used with object), deserved, deserving.
1.
to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation:
to deserve exile; to deserve charity; a theory that deserves consideration.
verb (used without object), deserved, deserving.
2.
to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, recompense, etc.:
to reward him as he deserves; an idea deserving of study.
Origin of deserve
1250-1300
1250-1300; Middle English deserven < Anglo-French, Old French deservir, Latin dēservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equivalent to dē- de- + servīre to serve
Related forms
deserver, noun
predeserve, verb (used with object), predeserved, predeserving.
Synonyms
1. rate, warrant, justify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for deserve
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples
  • You deserve one chance for your life; and if I should fall it will be in danger.

    The Wild Huntress Mayne Reid
  • There is something sickly about our state while we do so, and we deserve to be suffering as we are.

    Deerbrook Harriet Martineau
  • Well, I dare say they deserve it quite as much as the average Christian does.

    Three Men in a Boat Jerome K. Jerome
  • If we go, we shall leave behind us a bad character, which we do not deserve.

    Deerbrook Harriet Martineau
  • You see, Vilma, dear, this woman—God knows I do not deserve it at her hands!

    The Village Notary Jzsef Etvs
British Dictionary definitions for deserve

deserve

/dɪˈzɜːv/
verb
1.
(transitive) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
2.
(obsolete) (intransitive) foll by of. to be worthy
Derived Forms
deserved, adjective
deservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs) noun
deserver, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for deserve
v.

early 13c., from Old French deservir (Modern French desservir) "deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit," from Latin deservire "serve well," from de- "completely" (see de-) + servire "to serve" (see serve). From "be entitled to because of good service" (a sense found in Late Latin), meaning generalized c.1300 to "be worthy of." Related: Deserved; deserving.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Idioms and Phrases with deserve
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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