Hypertext Webster Gateway: "demerit"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Demerit \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Demerit \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Demerit \De*mer"it\, v. i.
To deserve praise or blame.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

demerit
n 1: a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually
given in school or armed forces; "ten demerits and he
loses his privileges"
2: 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"
[syn: {fault}] [ant: {merit}]

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