GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       
Deserve (dḗ‑zẽrvˈ), v. t. [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.”

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

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    John Gay deserved to be a favorite. Thackeray.

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

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

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    A man that hath

    So well deserved me. Massinger.

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  2.       
deserved adj. properly earned; warranted; merited.  Opposite of undeserved.

    Syn. -- due.
    [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

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