meritus Latin · revision 30892

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=itc-pro *mer-ē-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''meritus''' (feminine merita, neuter meritum); first and second declension; superlative meritissimus^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the past participle of [[m|la|mereō|t=to earn, deserve]] used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan traces the verb to [[itc-pro|*mer-ē-|t=to earn]] and, with a query, [[ine-pro|*(s)mr-eh₁-|t=to earn]], cognate with [[grc|μείρομαι|tr=meíromai|t=to receive one's share]] and [[grc|μέρος|tr=méros|t=part, share]]; its formation is problematic.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Captivi'': ''meritam mercēdem dabō'', “I'll give him the reward he has earned”.^(OLD 2012)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is deserved, just or due, as a deserved reward or punishment, and of persons deserving or meritorious, ''bene meritus'' is “well deserving”, and Quintilian quotes a speaker who wishes all good to the most deserving Gallio.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a deserved reward.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Well [[m|en|deserve|alt=deserved]], just, [[m|en|due]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Deserving, [[m|en|meritorious]], ''bene meritus'', well deserving.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mereō]]

+ * [[meritum]]

+ * [[immeritus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}