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nce; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit.

her, to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land. Deut. xv. 11. Spare the bluches of needly merit. Dr. T. Dwight.

s of one's family; bestowal of patronage in consideration of relationship, rather than of merit or of legal claim. From nepotism Alexander V. was safe; for he was without kindred or relatives. But there was another perhaps more fatal nepotism, which turned the tide of popularity against him -- the nepotism of his order…

cellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book. An ordinary lad would have acquired little or no useful knowledge in such a way. Macaulay. Ordinary seaman (Naut.), one not expert or fully skilled, and hence ranking below an…

, or in other ways; differently; contrarily. Chaucer. Thy father was a worthy prince, And merited, alas! a better fate; But Heaven thought otherwise. Addison.

Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon. For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. B. Jonson.

red public officers, disabled soldiers, the families of soldiers killed in service, or to meritorious authors, or the like. To all that kept the city pensions and wages. 1 Esd. iv. 56.

ing a cornucopia, and as blind, because his gifts were bestowed without discrimination of merit.

Destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor discourse; a poor picture.

Without skill or merit; as, he performs poorly. Poorly off, not well off; not rich.

Dryden. This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue, and making it productive of merit. Spectator.

souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven.

ted by a mark or by a boundary. W. K. Clifford. Quantum meruit ( Etym: [L., as much as he merited] (Law), a count in an action grounded on a promise that the defendant would pay to the plaintiff for his service as much as he should deserve. -- Quantum sufficit (, or Quantum suff. Etym: [L., as much suffices] (Med.), a…

One who reads manuscripts offered for publication and advises regarding their merit.

ssed to the face; censure for a fault; chiding; reproach. Those best can bear reproof who merit praise. Pope.

services; in a bad sense, retaliation, or punishment; as, the requital of evil deeds. No merit their aversion can remove, Nor ill requital can efface their love. Waller.

That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong. All who have their reward on earth, . . . Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find Fit retribution, empty as their deeds. Milton.

inspector; one who examines publications critically, and publishes his opinion upon their merits; a professional critic of books.

, etc.; recompense; requital. Thou returnest From flight, seditious angel, to receive Thy merited reward. Milton. Rewards and punishments do always presuppose something willingly done well or ill. Hooker.

gy. A most wise and sufficient means of redemption and salvation, by the satisfactory and meritorius death and obedience of the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. Bp. Sanderson. -- Sat`is*fac"to*ri*ty, adv. -- Sat`is*fac"to*ri*ness, n.