[di-zur-ving] 
| 1. | qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation: the deserving poor; a deserving applicant. |
| 2. | meriting; worthy: a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence. |
[di-zurv] verb, -served, -serv⋅ing.| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.] |
| de·serv·ing (dĭ-zûr'vĭng) adj. Worthy, as of reward, praise, or aid. n. Merit; worthiness. de·serv'ing·ly adv. |
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