deserve

deserve — deserve, merit, earn, rate mean to be or become worthy of something as recompense whether by way of reward or punishment. Deserve implies a just claim which entitles one to something good or evil, usually on the ground of actions done or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

deserve — de*serve (d[ e]*z[ e]rv ), v. i. To be worthy of recompense; usually with ill or with well. [1913 Webster] One man may merit or deserve of another. South. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

deserve — early 13c., from O.Fr. deservir (Mod.Fr. desservir) deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit, from L. deservire serve well, from de completely (see DE (Cf. de )) + servire to serve (see SERVE (Cf. serve)). From be entitled to because of good s …   Etymology dictionary

deserve — [di zʉrv′] vt. deserved, deserving [ME deserven < OFr deservir, to deserve < L deservire, to serve diligently < de , intens. + servire, SERVE] to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.);… …   English World dictionary

deserve — index earn Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

deserve — [v] be entitled to be given one’s due*, be in line for*, be worthy of, demand, earn, gain, get, get comeuppance*, get what is coming to one*, have it coming*, have the right to, justify, lay claim to, merit, procure, rate, warrant, win; concept… …   New thesaurus

deserve — ► VERB ▪ do something or show qualities worthy of (a reward or punishment as appropriate). DERIVATIVES deservedly adverb. ORIGIN Latin deservire serve well or zealously …   English terms dictionary

deserve — de|serve W3S2 [dıˈzə:v US ə:rv] v [T] [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: Latin deservire to serve very keenly , from servire to serve ] 1.) to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour ▪ What have I done to deserve this?… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

deserve — verb (T) 1 to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour: You ve been working all morning I think you deserve a rest. | deserve to do sth: The team deserves to win. | deserve it: Yeah, I hit him but he deserved it. | get what you… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

deserve */*/ — UK [dɪˈzɜː(r)v] / US [dɪˈzɜrv] verb [transitive] Word forms deserve : present tense I/you/we/they deserve he/she/it deserves present participle deserving past tense deserved past participle deserved 1) if you deserve something, it is right that… …   English dictionary