Etymology Map
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Merit

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the quality of deserving praise

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

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

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.