deserve |dɪˈzəːv| verb [ with obj. ] do something or have or show qualities worthy of (a reaction which rewards or punishes as appropriate): the referee deserves a pat on the back | [ with infinitive ] : we didn't deserve to win. PHRASES !deserve a medal have done something considered especially praiseworthy or heroic. as a psychiatric nurse he deserves a medal, anyway. deserve well (or ill) of be worthy of good (or bad) treatment at the hands of. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French deservir, from Latin deservire ‘serve well or zealously’. deserve verb everyone involved with this book deserves the greatest praise: merit, earn, warrant, rate, justify, be worthy of,be entitled to, have a right to, have a claim on, be qualified for, be good enough for. ANTONYMS be unworthy of. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD !deserve, earn, merit See earn. These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

Responsibility |rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti| noun (pl.responsibilities) [ mass noun ] 1 the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone: women bear children and take responsibility for childcare. 2 the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something: the group has claimed esponsibility for a string of murders. • [ in sing. ] (responsibility to/towards) a moral obligation to behave correctly towards or in respect of:individuals have a responsibility to control their behaviour. 3 the opportunity or ability to act independently and take decisions without authorization: we expect individuals to take on more responsibility. • [ count noun ] (often responsibilities) a thing which one is required to do as part of a job, role, or !legal obligation: he will take over the responsibilities of Overseas Director. PHRASES on one's own responsibility without authorization. he postponed, on his own responsibility, a proposal for a broa...

disjointed |dɪsˈdʒɔɪntɪd| adjective lacking a coherent sequence or connection: piecing together disjointed fragments of information. DERIVATIVES disjointedly adverb, disjointedness noun disjoint |dɪsˈdʒɔɪnt| verb [ with obj. ] 1 disturb the cohesion or organization of: the loss of the area disjointed military plans. 2 dated take apart at the joints. disjoint a six-pound fowl, put in a pot, and simmer until tender. adjective Mathematics(of two or more sets) having no elements in common. ORIGIN late Middle English (as an adjective in the sense ‘disjointed’): from Old French desjoint ‘separated’, from the verb desjoindre (see disjoin) . disjointed adjective 1 a disjointed series of impressions in her mind:unconnected, disconnected, without unity, disunited, discontinuous, fragmented, fragmentary, disorganized,disordered, muddled, mixed up, jumbled, garbled,incoherent, confused, fitful, erratic, spasmodic, patchy, scrappy, bitty, piecemeal; ramblin...