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Deserve

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅serve

  [di-zurv] verb, -served, -serv⋅ing.
Use Deserve in a Sentence
–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 dēservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equiv. to dē- de- + servīre to serve

Related forms:
de⋅serv⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. rate, warrant, justify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Deserve
de·serve   (dĭ-zûrv')   
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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

deserve

see one good turn deserves another.

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