Undeservingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that lacks justification or merit for a reward
2. Without having the rightful claim or value to earn a particular advantage
3. In a manner lacking the true right or qualification to receive a benefit

Etymology: "Undeservingly" is simply "undeserving" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added. The adjective "undeserving" is itself built from "un-", a prefix meaning "not," and "deserving," the present participle of "deserve." "Deserve" came into English from Old French "deservir," which ultimately traces back to Latin "deservire," meaning "to serve well" or "to earn by service." So the word's core idea is one of earning: "undeservingly" describes doing or receiving something without having earned it. The suffix "-ly" comes from Old English "-lic," a word meaning "body" or "form," which over time came to mark adjectives and then adverbs describing manner. Attaching it to "undeserving" yields a adverb that describes the manner in which something happens, specifically without the merit that would justify it.