/
ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəs/
adj.
- deserving reward or praise.
- Law, chiefly N. Amer. (of an action) likely to succeed on the merits of the case.
Derivative
- meritoriously adv.
- meritoriousness n.
Etymology
ME: from late L. meritorius (from merit-, mereri ‘earn’) + -ous.
