\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.
         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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

\Mer"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Merited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meriting}.] [F. m['e]riter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr.
merere. See {Merit}, n.]
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. To reward. [R. & Obs.] --Chapman.

\Mer"it\, v. i.
To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to
profit. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.