merit

Definitions

1. 1.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.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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 merits thanks." Shak.
4. 4.To reward. [R. & Obs.] Chapman.
5. 5.To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "merit" mean?
• What is another word for "merit"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is merit.

• What is 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 called?
• What is 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 merits thanks." Shak called?
• What is to acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl called?