demerit

[dih-mer-it]

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.

demerit

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• demeritorious adjective
• demeritoriously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of demerit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of demerit¹

C14 (originally: worth, later specialized to mean: something worthy of blame): from Latin dēmerērī to deserve

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."

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

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

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“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.

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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.

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