DESERVE, DESERVING
ADJECTIVES
► BENE-MERENT well-deserving → 1656 obs.
► DESERVABLE deserving → 19C Eng. dial.
► ILL-DESERVING deserving of ill → 1625
NOUNS
► EARNING the fact of deserving, merit; that which one deserves → c1020 obs.
► OFGOING deserving, earning → 1340 obs.
► OFSERVING deserving, desert, merit → c1240 obs.
► DAPPYS deserts, deservings → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
VERBS
► HAVE IT COMING to deserve; to merit; usually ‘it’ is unpleasant → L19 sl.
► OF-EARN to earn, to deserve → c1200 obs.
► OFGO to gain, to win, to obtain; to obtain by merit, to deserve, to earn → c1000 obs.
► OFSERVE to deserve, to merit; to obtain by deserving; to earn → a1225 obs.
► TAKE THE CAKE to win or deserve the highest award and admiration → 1847 US sl.
Lexicophilia 