[ ˌmɛrɪ'tɔ:rɪəs ]
■ adjective
1》 deserving reward or praise.
2》 Law, chiefly N. Amer. (of an action) likely to succeed on the merits of the case.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from late L. meritorius (from merit- , mereri 'earn') + -ous .