Meritless
/ˈmɛrɪtləs/noun
Lacking merit, worth, or deserving quality.
Did you know?The core of *meritless* comes from Latin *meritum*, “that which is deserved,” ultimately tied to the idea of earning a fate through one’s actions rather than magic or destiny.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“to get a share, receive one's due, or be entitled to a portion”
Latin
Latin
meritum
“a service, reward, or what is deserved”
Late Latin
Latin
meritus
“deserved, earned, worthy”
Old French
Old French
merite
“desert, worth, virtue, reward”
Middle English
English
merit
“desert, worth, praiseworthy quality”
Modern English
English
meritless
“without merit or deserving quality”
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