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Definitions for: Demerit
[n] 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"
[n] a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces; "ten demerits and he loses his privileges"
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Synonyms: fault
Antonyms: merit, virtue
See Also: brand, mark, stain, stigma, worth
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