Search Result for "demerit": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces;
- Example: "ten demerits and he loses his privileges"

2. the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection;
- Example: "they discussed the merits and demerits of her novel"
- Example: "he knew his own faults much better than she did"
[syn: demerit, fault]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demerit \De*mer"it\, n. [F. d['e]m['e]rite demerit (in sense 2), OF. demerite demerit (in sense 1), fr. L. demerere to deserve well, LL., to deserve well or ill; de- + merere to deserve. See De-, and Merit.] 1. That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill; desert. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation. --Holland. [1913 Webster] 2. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault; a vice; misconduct; -- the opposite of merit. [1913 Webster] They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action. --Burke. [1913 Webster] Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense. --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster] 3. The state of one who deserves ill. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demerit \De*mer"it\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]m['e]riter to deserve ill. See Demerit, n.] 1. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise and blame. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] If I have demerited any love or thanks. --Udall. [1913 Webster] Executed as a traitor . . . as he well demerited. --State Trials (1645). [1913 Webster] 2. To depreciate or cry down. [R.] --Bp. Woolton. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Demerit \De*mer"it\, v. i. To deserve praise or blame. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

demerit n 1: a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces; "ten demerits and he loses his privileges" 2: the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection; "they discussed the merits and demerits of her novel"; "he knew his own faults much better than she did" [syn: demerit, fault] [ant: merit, virtue]