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deserve

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Deserve is defined as to be worthy or of qualified for.

(verb)

An example of deserve is for the winner to be entitled to a prize after winning a triathlon.

See deserve in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.); merit

Origin: ME deserven < OFr deservir, to deserve < L deservire, to serve diligently < de-, intens. + servire, serve

intransitive verb

to be worthy

See deserve in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb de·served, de·serv·ing, de·serves

verb, transitive

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

verb, intransitive

To be worthy or deserving.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English deserven

Origin: , from Old French deservir

Origin: , from Latin dēservīre, to serve zealously

Origin: : dē-, intensive pref.; see de-

Origin: + servīre, to serve; see serve

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