'Deserve' definitions:

Definition of 'deserve'

verb

Be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done" [syn: deserve, merit]

From: GCIDE

Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), 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. [1913 Webster]
God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. --Job xi. 6. [1913 Webster]
John Gay deserved to be a favorite. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]
Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve reprehension. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
2. To serve; to treat; to benefit. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
A man that hath So well deserved me. --Massinger. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

deserve \de*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. i. To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well. [1913 Webster]
One man may merit or deserve of another. --South. [1913 Webster]