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 Merit \Mer"it\, n. [F. m['e]rite, 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}.]
   1. The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert.
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            Here may men see how sin hath his merit. --Chaucer.
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            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.
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   2. Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state of deserving
      well; worth; excellence.
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            Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and lost
            without deserving.                    --Shak.
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            To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
            And every author's merit, but his own. --Pope.
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   3. Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or
      approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits.
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            Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth.
                                                  --Prior.
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