De*serve" (dē*zẽrv"), v. i.
To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with
well.
One man may merit or deserve of
another.
South.De*serve" (dē*zẽrv"), 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 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.
2. To serve; to treat; to benefit.
[Obs.]
A man that hath
So well deserved me.
Massinger.