GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Deserve , 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.]
    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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   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.       
   deserve , v. i. To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.
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   One man may merit or deserve of another.
   South.
   
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