n. [ F. démérite demerit (in sense 2), OF. demerite demerit (in sense 1), fr. L. demerere to deserve well, LL., to deserve well or ill; de- + merere to deserve. See De-, and Merit. ]
By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged their adherents, [ they ] acquired this reputation. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]
They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ Cf. F. démériter to deserve ill. See Demerit, n. ]
If I have demerited any love or thanks. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]
Executed as a traitor . . . as he well demerited. State Trials (1645). [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To deserve praise or blame. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ See Emeritus. ] Considered as having done sufficient public service, and therefore honorably discharged. [ Obs. ] Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖a. [ L., having served out his time, p. p. of emerere, emereri, to obtain by service, serve out one's term; e out + merere, mereri, to merit, earn, serve. ] Honorably discharged from the performance of public duty on account of age, infirmity, or long and faithful services; -- said of an officer of a college or pastor of a church. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖ n.;
v. t. To merit or deserve beforehand. [ Obs. ] Eikon Basi&unr_;&unr_;ke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. temeritas, from temere by chance, rashly; perhaps akin to Skr. tamas darkness: cf. F. témérité. ] Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness;
It is notorious temerity to pass sentence upon grounds uncapable of evidence. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
Her rush hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]