meritum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈmɛ.rɪ.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.ri.tum]^[1]

Forms

meritum n (genitive meritī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter of meritus, perfect participle of mereō “to earn, deserve”, used as a noun.^[2][1][3] De Vaan reconstructs ⟨mereō⟩ as Proto-Italic *mer-ē- (“to earn”) and, with a question mark, Proto-Indo-European *(s)mr-eh₁- (“to earn”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a service that earns gratitude.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant what one deserves, a due reward, as in Terence; deserving, whether of good or bad treatment, especially meō meritō “through my own deserts”; and a service or kindness that earns gratitude, as in Plautus.^[2] Tertullian and Apuleius used it of wages, pay.^[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant merit, desert, a good work.^[7] Medieval Latin used it for rank, dignity, office; for all the profit belonging to a property; and for riches.^[8] English merit (about 1200, first “spiritual credit” for good works) comes from Old French merite and directly from Latin meritum.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a service.^[2][5]
• 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a due reward.^[2][5]
• c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of pay.^[6][5]
• c. 1200 – English merit is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. What one deserves, due reward.^[2]
2. Desert, deserving: meō meritō deservedly.^[2]
3. A service or kindness that earns gratitude; merit.^[2][7]
4. (Late Latin) Pay, wages.^[6]
5. (Medieval Latin) Rank, office; the profits of a property.^[8]

Related words

• mereō
• meritus
• meritō
• English merit

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill