Nearby Words

deserve

[dih-zurv] Example Sentences Origin

de·serve

[dih-zurv] 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.

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Deserve is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
to run away hurriedly; flee.
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

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

de·serv·er, noun
pre·de·serve, verb (used with object), -served, -serv·ing.


1. rate, warrant, justify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To deserve
Example Sentences
  • 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.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
deserve (dɪˈzɜːv)
 
vb (foll by of)
1.  (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
2.  obsolete to be worthy
 
[C13: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve]
 
de'served
 
adj
 
deservedness
 
n
 
de'server
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

deserve
late 13c., 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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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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