v. [UN-1 14.] trans. To fail to deserve. Also absol.
1621. Quarles, Div. Poems, Esther, vii. The blaze of Honour, Fortune’s sweet excesse, Doe vndeserue the name of Happinesse.
1650. Gentilis, Considerations, 73. Where they doe not undeserve wanting the use of reason, wee should merit in rightly using it.
1721. Cibber, Heroic Danghter, II. Sp. 23. Let us not … undeserve the Grace by new false Fears.
1757. Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), II. 277. There are certain base natures, which not deserving favours before hand, are sure to undeserve the more they receive.
1894. Ld. Rosebery in Daily News, 3 May, 6/6. I am inclined to think that … Government have done nothing so far to undeserve that welcome.
