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. ]
Here may men see how sin hath his merit. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and lost without deserving. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
And every author's merit, but his own. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
v. i. To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Deserving of reward. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. By merit; deservedly. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who depends on merit for salvation. [ Obs. ] Milner. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
adj. Of or pertaining to meritocracy;
a. [ L. meritorius that brings in money. ] Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable. [ 1913 Webster ]
And meritorious shall that hand be called,
Canonized, and worshiped as a saint. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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