méritait

Méritait is a French word derived from the verb "mériter," which means to deserve or to merit. As a past tense form, specifically the imperfect indicative, "méritait" translates to "deserved" or "was deserving." It is used to describe a state or action in the past that was deemed worthy of something, whether positive or negative.

For example, one might say "Il méritait une récompense" which means "He deserved a reward." This indicates that the person's past actions or qualities made them worthy of recognition. Conversely, "Elle méritait une punition" translates to "She deserved a punishment," implying her past conduct warranted a negative consequence. The imperfect tense of "méritait" suggests a continuous or habitual state of deserving in the past, or a description of what was happening at a particular time. It's a common and essential verb form in French for discussing past situations and their associated sense of worthiness or desert.