Demerit word meaning and definition

[noun] the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection; "they discussed the merits and demerits of her novel"; "he knew his own faults much better than she did"
[noun] a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces; "ten demerits and he loses his privileges"

\De*mer"it\, n. [F. d['e]m['e]rite demerit (in sense 2), OF. demerite demerit (in sense 1), fr. L. demerere to deserve well, LL., to deserve well or ill; de- + merere to deserve. See {De}-, and {Merit}.] 1. 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. 2. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault; a vice; misconduct; -- the opposite of {merit}. They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action. --Burke. Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense. --Sir W. Temple. 3. The state of one who deserves ill.
\De*mer"it\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]m['e]riter to deserve ill. See {Demerit}, n.] 1. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise and blame. [Obs.] If I have demerited any love or thanks. --Udall. Executed as a traitor . . . as he well demerited. --State Trials (1645). 2. To depreciate or cry down. [R.] --Bp. Woolton.
\De*mer"it\, v. i. To deserve praise or blame.

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