Merit (?), n. [F. mérite, L. meritum, fr. merere, mereri, to deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share; akin to Gr. &unr_; part, &unr_; fate, doom, &unr_; to receive as one's portion. Cf. Market, Merchant, Mercer, Mercy.] 1. The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert.
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Here may men see how sin hath his merit. Chaucer.
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Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and when we fall,
We answer other's merits in our name. Shak.
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2. Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state of deserving well; worth; excellence.
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Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and lost without deserving. Shak.
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To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
And every author's merit, but his own. Pope.
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3. Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits.
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Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth. Prior.
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Merit, v. i. To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
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