[mer.it] n [ME, fr. MF merite, fr. L meritum, fr. neut. of meritus, pp. of merere to deserve, earn; akin to Gk meiresthai to receive as one's portion, meros part] (14c) 1 a obs: reward or punishment due b: the qualities or actions that constitute the basis of one's deserts c: a praiseworthy quality: virtue d: character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem; also: achievement
2: spiritual credit held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits 3 a pl: the intrinsic nature of a legal case apart from considerations of circumstance, jurisdiction, or procedure b: individual significance or justification
[2]merit vt (1526): to be worthy of or entitled or liable to: earn ~ vi 1 obs: to be entitled to reward or honor
2: deserve