— meritocratic /mer'i teuh krat"ik/ , adj.
/mer'i tok"reuh see/ , n. , pl. meritocracies .
1. an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.
2. a system in which such persons are rewarded and advanced: The dean believes the educational system should be a meritocracy.
3. leadership by able and talented persons.
[ 1955-60; MERIT + -O- + -CRACY ]