DESERVE

[de.serve] vb de.served ; de.serv.ing [ME, fr. OF deservir, fr. L deservire to devote oneself to, fr. de- + servire to serve] vt (13c): to be worthy of: merit "~s another chance" ~ vi: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital "have become recognized as they ~ --T. S. Eliot" -- de.serv.er n