Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-SERT', n.² [from deserve.]

1. A deserving; that which gives a right to reward or demands, or which renders liable to punishment; merit or demerit; that which entitles to a recompense of equal value, or demands a punishment equal to the offense; good conferred, or evil done, which merits an equivalent return. A wise legislature will reward or punish men according to their deserts.
2. That which is deserved; reward or punishment merited. In a future life, every man will receive his desert.