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deserve

7 dictionary results for: Deserve

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·serve

[di-zurv] Pronunciation Key verb, -served, -serv·ing.

–verb (used with object)

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)

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; ME deserven < AF, OF deservir, L déservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equiv. to dé- de- + servīre to serve

]

—Related forms

de·serv·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. rate, warrant, justify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·serve   (dĭ-zûrv') Pronunciation Key
v.   de·served, de·serv·ing, de·serves

v.   tr.
To be worthy of; merit. See Synonyms at earn¹.

v.   intr.
To be worthy or deserving.

[Middle English deserven, from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre, to serve zealously : dē-, intensive pref.; see de- + servīre, to serve; see serve.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
deserve

1292, from O.Fr. deservir, from L. deservire "serve well," from de- "completely" + servire "to serve." From "be entitled to because of good service" (s sense found in L.L.), meaning generalized c.1300 to "be worthy of."

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

deserve
verb
be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done"

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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

deserve

see one good turn deserves another.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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

John Gay deserved to be a favorite. --Thackeray.

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

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

A man that hath So well deserved me. --Massinger.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Deserve

De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. i. To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.

One man may merit or deserve of another. --South.

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