MERIT (2)

merit (2)|meritoriousness. Merit, or Meritoriousness, n. desert, a right, a claim

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Mer″it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Merited; p. pr. & vb. n. Meriting.] [[F. mériter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr. merere. See Merit, n.]] 1. 1. 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.
2. 2. To reward. Chapman.