Main Entry: de·serve

Pronunciation: \di-ˈzərv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): de·served; de·serv·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French deservir, from Latin deservire to devote oneself to, from de- + servire to serve

Date: 13th century

transitive verb : to be worthy of : merit <deserves another chance>intransitive verb : to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital <have become recognized as they deserve — T. S. Eliot>

— de·serv·er noun