De-sērve'1, v. t.
(dē-zĕrv', 14), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DE-SERVED; p. pr. & vb. n. DESERVING.] [O. Fr. deservoir, desservir, to merit, Lat. deservire, to serve zealously, be devoted to, from de and servire, to serve. The Pr. deservir, desservir, Sp. deservir, It. deseruire, diservire, disservire, mean to fail in service, to do disservice.]
Sense 1. To earn by service; to be worthy of on ground of labor or services, of good or bad character and actions; 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.
Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve reprehension. Burke.
Sense 2. To serve; to treat; to benefit. [Obs.]
A man that hath So well deserved me. Massinger.