Deserve (4)
'deserve' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for earn that I've seen before include "Attain" , "Receive in return for" , "Gain through labour or work" , "Gain (money, reputation, etc)" , "Acquire money by labour" .)
'deserve' is the definition.
(I know that deserve can be written as merit)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for merit that I've seen before include "Worth; deserve" , "of a high order?" , "distinction" , "Goodness" , "Deserve or warrant" .)