Meaning and Origin
What does the name Merit mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
User Submitted Origins
User Submitted Meanings
- According to a user from Egypt, the name Merit is of Egyptian origin and means "Beloved".
- The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert."Here may men see how sin hath his merit." [Chaucer.]"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.]
- Esp. in a good sense:The quality or state of deserving well; worth; excellence."Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and lost without deserving." [Shak.]"To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, And every author's merit, but his own." [Pope.]
- Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits ."Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth." [Prior.]
Etymology: F. mérite, L. meritum, fr. merere mereri, to deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share; akin to Gr. � part, � fate, doom, � to receive as one's portion. Cf. Market Merchant Mercer Mercy
- To earn by service or performance; to have a right to claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a bad sense; as, to merit punishment."This kindness meritsthanks." [Shak.]
- To reward.(R. & Obs)
Etymology: F. mériter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr. merere. See Merit (n.)
- The quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
- Any admirable quality or attribute ("work of great merit")
- Be worthy or deserving
From Middle English merite, from Old French merite, from Latin meritum (“that which one deserves; service, kindness, benefit, fault, blame, demerit, grounds, reason, worth, value, importance”), neuter of meritus, past participle of mereō (“I deserve, earn, gain, get, acquire”), akin to Ancient Greek μέρος (méros, “a part, lot, fate, destiny”).
- Something deserving positive recognition.
- His reward for his was a check for $50.
- Something worthy of a high rating.
- A claim to commendation or reward.
- The quality of deserving reward.
- Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation.
- His teacher gave him ten .
- (obsolete) The quality or state of deserving either good or bad.
- All they were their just deserts.
merit was also found in the following language(s): Ladin