deserve

views updated May 23 2018

de·serve / dəˈzərv/ • v. [tr.] do something or have or show qualities worthy of (reward or punishment): the referee deserves a pat on the back for his bravery | people who park like that deserve to be towed away.DERIVATIVES: de·serv·ed·ly / -vidlē/ adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

deserve

views updated May 18 2018

deserve †become entitled to earn or claim XIII; be worthy to have XIV. — OF. deservir (now dess-) :- L. dēservīre serve zealously or well, f. DE- 3 + servīre SERVE.
So deservedly XVI. f. pp. deserved + -LY 2.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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