Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - merit

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~e, from Latin ~um, from neuter of ~us, past participle of merere to deserve, earn; akin to Greek meiresthai to receive as one's portion, meros part  Date: 14th century  1.  a. obsolete reward or punishment due  b. the qualities or actions that constitute the basis of one's deserts  c. a praiseworthy quality ; virtue  d. character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem; also achievement  2. spiritual credit held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits  3.  a. plural the substance of a legal case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form  b. individual significance or justification  • ~less adjective  II. verb  Date: 1526  transitive verb to be worthy of or entitled or liable to ; earn  intransitive verb  1. obsolete to be entitled to reward or honor  2. deserve