meriti

Meriti, commonly translated as merits, is a term with Latin and Italian roots used to denote what is deserved or earned through effort, virtue, or achievement. In Latin, meritus means deserved, from merere, to earn. In Italian, meriti is the plural of merito and refers to accomplishments, honors, or the positive claims a person has earned.

In ethics and philosophy, merit is a central idea in evaluating deserving outcomes. It underpins merit-based systems in education, employment, and rewards, by focusing on substantive quality rather than status or luck. In law, the phrase on the merits describes decision-making based on the substantive issues of a case, rather than procedural or technical considerations.

In education and professional life, meriti are assessed through grades, exams, performances, publications, and service. Awards such as scholarships, promotions, or admission often hinge on demonstrated merit, sometimes expressed as academic or professional merits.

In religious contexts, particularly within Catholic tradition, meriti denotes good works or acts believed to deserve reward, and it is linked to doctrines concerning grace and the treasury of merit, a concept describing how merits may be applied to individuals or the Church.

The term also appears in Latin and modern usage to discuss the substantive case for a claim or policy. Across contexts, meriti emphasizes what is deserved by virtue of effort, achievement, or virtue, rather than mere entitlement or procedural formalities.