Dictionary.com Word Of The Day
Feb. 26, 2017
meritorious\mer-i-TAWR-ee-uh s, -TOHR-\adjective
1. deserving praise, reward, esteem, etc.; praiseworthy: to receive a
gift for meritorious service.
QuotesIt wasn't exactly a misdemeanor to be late to breakfast--it began
promptly at eight o'clock--but it was distinctly meritorious not to be.
-- Henry Kitchell Webster, The Real Adventure, 1916
Origin of meritoriousMeritorious is a good example of semantic
amelioration. The Latin adjective meritÅriusmeans âearning money,
bringing in money, for hire.â MeritÅrium is a noun use of this
adjective and means âa room or place rented for a short time.â The
plural of this nounmeritÅria means âhouse of prostitution,
brothel.â Meritorious acquired a positive meaning in Middle English
âentitling a person to a reward, especially a reward from God.â The
word entered English in the first half of the 15th century.More From
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