Demerit
/ˌdiːˈmɛrɪt/noun
A fault or failing that deserves blame or punishment.
Did you know?Demerit comes from the same Latin root as merit, so every time you hear it, you’re hearing a linguistic verdict: what has been weighed and found wanting.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
demeritum
“something deserved badly; a fault or offense”
Late Latin
Latin
demeritum
“desert, especially ill-desert”
14th Century
English
demerit
“a fault or offense deserving blame”
Modern English
English
demerit
“a fault or failing that deserves punishment or lowers standing”