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]