merit

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See also měřit

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English merite < Old French merite < Latin meritum (that which one deserves; also, a ground of desert (service, kindness, benefit, or fault, blame, demerit), worth, value, importance), neuter of meritus, pp. of merere, mereri (to deserve, be worthy of, earn, gain, get, acquire, buy, in military use earn pay, serve for pay), akin to Ancient Greek μέρος (meros), a part, lot, fate, destiny).

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
merit

Plural
merits

merit (plural merits)

  1. Something deserving either good or bad recognition.
    His reward for his merit was a check for $50.
  2. Something worthy of a high rating.
  3. A claim to commendation or reward.
  4. The quality of deserving reward.

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[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to merit

Third person singular
merits

Simple past
merited

Past participle
merited

Present participle
meriting

to merit (third-person singular simple present merits, present participle meriting, simple past and past participle merited)

  1. (transitive) To earn or to deserve.
  2. (intransitive) To be worthy or deserving.

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