merit

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.5 Derived terms 1.6 Related terms 1.7 External links 1.8 Anagrams

[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

• mĕr'ĭt
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• IPA: /ˈmɛ.ʁɪt/

• Rhymes: -ɛrɪt

[edit] Noun

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.

[edit] Synonyms

• worth
• value

[edit] Antonyms

• demerit

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

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.

[edit] Derived terms

• merit-based
• merited
• meritocracy
• meritocratic

[edit] Related terms

• meritorious
• meritoriousness
• meritoriously

[edit] External links

• merit in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• merit in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• merit at OneLook® Dictionary Search

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: eimrt
• miter
• mitre
• remit
• timer