[ˈmɛrɪt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward
(e.g: composers of outstanding merit)


Phrases:
- judge something on its merits

Origin:
Middle English (originally in the sense ‘deserved reward or punishment’): via Old French from Latin meritum ‘due reward’, from mereri ‘earn, deserve’

[ˈmɛrɪt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- deserve or be worthy of (reward, punishment, or attention)
(e.g: the results have been encouraging enough to merit further investigation)


Phrases:
- judge something on its merits

Origin:
Middle English (originally in the sense ‘deserved reward or punishment’): via Old French from Latin meritum ‘due reward’, from mereri ‘earn, deserve’