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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.

Deserving of reward. [R.]

By merit; deservedly.

Same as Internode.

One who depends on merit for salvation. [Obs.] Milner.

Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable. And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized, and worshiped as a saint. Shak. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness, n.

Meritorious. [Obs.]

A play of children, in swinging on ropes, or the like, till they are dizzy.

That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert. [Obs.] By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation. Holland.

Considered as having done sufficient public service, and therefore honorably discharged. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Honorably discharged from the performance of public duty on account of age, infirmity, or long and faithful services; -- said of an officer of a college or pastor of a church.

Want of worth; demerit. [R.] Suckling.

Unmerited. [Obs.] Charles I.

Undeserving. [Obs.] Milton.

Excessive merit. Bacon.

To merit or deserve beforehand. [Obs.] Eikon Basi

To deserve; to procure by merit. [Obs.] Davenant.

The second segment of one of the Gregarinæ.

Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war.

Servile flattery; praise in excess, or beyond what is merited. Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out With titles blown from adulation Shak.