deserving

Etymology

adj

1. worthy of reward or praise; meritorious
   the deserving poor
2. meriting, worthy (reward, punishment etc.)
   In the midst of a world war many centenaries pass unnoticed, but one which fell on August 2, namely, the opening of Fenchurch Street station, is deserving of record. 1941 September, “Notes and News: The London & Blackwall Cable Railway”, in Railway Magazine, pages 424–425

noun

1. desert, merit
   I here understand that value which every man puts upon his own deservings from the publick 1711, Jonathan Swift, The Examiner, Number 30

verb

1. present participle and gerund of deserve