deserve \de*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), 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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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), 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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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
deserve
v : be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all
the hard work you have done" [syn: merit]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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