demerit

American  

[dih-mer-it] / dɪˈmɛr ɪt /

noun

1. a mark against a person for misconduct or deficiency.

   If you receive four demerits during a term, you will be expelled from school.

2. the quality of being censurable or punishable; fault; culpability.

3. Obsolete.  merit or desert.

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demerit British  

/ diːˈmɛrɪt, ˈdiːˌmɛrɪt /

noun

1. something, esp conduct, that deserves censure

2. a mark given against a person for failure or misconduct, esp in schools or the armed forces

3. a fault or disadvantage

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Other Word Forms

• demeritorious adjective
• demeritoriously adverb

Etymology

Origin of demerit

1350–1400; Middle English (< Old French desmerite ) < Medieval Latin dēmeritum fault, noun use of neuter past participle of Latin dēmerēre to earn, win the favor of ( dē- taken in ML as privative, hence pejorative). See de-, merit

Example Sentences

In her judgment, Lady Hood stated: "This case is not a verdict, nor even an expression of opinion, on the merits or demerits of government policy as debated in the public arena."

From BBC

Times columnists debate the merits, and demerits, of the California’s governor podcasting side gig.

From Los Angeles Times

As well as the fine, Kohli incurred one demerit point, but is free to play the fifth and final Test in Sydney next month.

From BBC

“We haven’t yet received a copy of the judgement. We will examine it on its merits and demerits and then decide whether to appeal or not,” he told me.

From BBC

Yet his job review has never included a bonus for a player being called up to the majors or a demerit when someone comes up short.

From Los Angeles Times