Dictionary
de•serv•ing
Pronunciation: (di-zûr'ving), [key]—
adj.
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. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.