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
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.
Examples from the web for deserve
  • The way you gain people's trust is to earn it over time by repeatedly proving that you deserve it.
  • This book is too small to make a completely persuasive argument, but its findings deserve further examination and discussion.
  • But those, like the correspondent, who did object raised important concerns that deserve attention.
  • You really do deserve a Knighthood for your invention.
  • Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.
  • They don't deserve much respect yet, he said.
  • Better deserve honor and not have it, than have it and not deserve it.
  • They deserve to see how strong they are.
  • Those concerns deserve a forthright response.
  • Landscape architects are design professionals and deserve the same respect as architects.
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
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.

Idioms and Phrases with deserve

deserve

see: one good turn deserves another