01 v. t. To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; …
imp. & p. p.
Deserved; p. pr. & vb. n.
Deserving
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1.
To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves praise.“God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” — Job xi. 6.“John Gay deserved to be a favorite.” — Thackeray.“Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve reprehension.” — Burke.
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2.
To serve; to treat; to benefit.[Obs.]“A man that hath So well deserved me.” — Massinger.