worth or excellence
a good level in passing an exam, higher than a pass but lower than a distinction
(usu in pl) a good or praiseworthy quality; a virtue
(in pl) spiritual credits believed to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits
(in pl) the intrinsic rights and wrongs of a case, esp a legal case
on its merits
in accordance with its intrinsic good or bad qualities
[Middle English via Old French from Latin meritum, from neuter of meritus, past part. of merēre to deserve, earn]