meritum Latin · revision 9331
16 Oct 2026, 18:23 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *(s)mer-}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmɛ.rɪ.tũː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.ri.tum]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''meritum''' ''n'' (genitive meritī); second declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is the neuter of [[meritus]], perfect participle of [[mereō]] “to earn, deserve”, used as a noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) De Vaan reconstructs ⟨mereō⟩ as [[itc-pro|*mer-ē-|t=to earn]] and, with a question mark, [[ine-pro|*(s)mr-eh₁-|t=to earn]].^(de Vaan 2008)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a service that earns gratitude.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==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.^(OLD 2012) Tertullian and Apuleius used it of wages, pay.^(Gaffiot 2016)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant merit, desert, a good work.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for rank, dignity, office; for all the profit belonging to a property; and for riches.^(Niermeyer 1976) [[en|merit]] (about 1200, first “spiritual credit” for good works) comes from Old French ''merite'' and directly from Latin ''meritum''.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a service.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a due reward.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of pay.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 1200 – English ''merit'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # What one deserves, due [[m|en|reward]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # [[m|en|desert|alt=Desert]], deserving: ''meō meritō'' deservedly.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A service or kindness that earns gratitude; [[m|en|merit]].^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)
+ # ''(Late Latin)'' Pay, wages.^(Gaffiot 2016)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Rank, office; the profits of a property.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[mereō]]
+ * [[meritus]]
+ * [[meritō]]
+ * [[en|merit]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}