merit

Where does the word "merit" come from? It comes from Latin meritum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Merit’s story begins in Latin: meritum meant “reward, worth.” From 'merere', to earn. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as merite. What one deserves. It reached English by 1200s as merit. 'merit badges' date from the 1900s. Today, merit means the quality of deserving praise.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient meritum "reward, worth", from 'merere', to earn.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval merite "reward, worth", what one deserves.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s merit "reward", 'merit badges' date from the 1900s.