deserving

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one’s actions, qualities, or situation: the deserving poor; a deserving applicant.
2. meriting; worthy: a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

verb (used with object), de·served, de·serv·ing.

1. to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation: to deserve exile; to deserve charity; a theory that deserves consideration.

verb (used without object), de·served, de·serv·ing.

2. to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, recompense, etc.: to reward him as he deserves; an idea deserving of study.

adjective

1. (often postpositive and foll by of) worthy, esp of praise or reward

noun

2. rare a merit or demerit; desert

verb

1. (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
2. (intr foll by of) obsolete to be worthy

v.

early 13c., from Old French deservir (Modern French desservir) “deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit,” from Latin deservire “serve well,” from de- “completely” (see de-) + servire “to serve” (see serve). From “be entitled to because of good service” (a sense found in Late Latin), meaning generalized c.1300 to “be worthy of.” Related: Deserved; deserving.

see one good turn deserves another.