Crossword Genius

Just half-dead - beginning to rally - then died (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deserved

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'just' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deserved that I've seen before include "Merited" , "Fitting" .)

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