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Demerit: meaning, definitions and examples

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demerit

 

[ dɪˈmɛrɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

negative consequence

A demerit is a mark or indication of fault or failure, often used in disciplinary contexts to indicate a reduction in standing or grade. It can reflect poor behavior or an infraction of rules.

Synonyms

blemish, infraction, mark, penalty

Examples of usage

  • He received a demerit for missing class.
  • The student was given a demerit for being late.
  • The club had a system of demerits for its members.
  • Her demerits affected her overall GPA.

Translations

Translations of the word "demerit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 demérito

🇮🇳 दोष

🇩🇪 Mangel

🇮🇩 cacat

🇺🇦 недолік

🇵🇱 niedopatrzenie

🇯🇵 欠点

🇫🇷 mérite

🇪🇸 demérito

🇹🇷 kusur

🇰🇷 단점

🇸🇦 عيب

🇨🇿 nedostatek

🇸🇰 nedostatok

🇨🇳 缺点

🇸🇮 pomanjkljivost

🇮🇸 galli

🇰🇿 кемшілік

🇬🇪 ნაკლი

🇦🇿 qüsur

🇲🇽 demérito

Etymology

The term 'demerit' originated from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'down from' or 'away from' and 'merit,' which comes from the Latin 'meritum,' meaning 'to earn' or 'deserve.' As such, a demerit denotes a failure to earn merit. The word began to be utilized in English in the early 19th century, often in educational and military environments to denote a negative mark against a student's or soldier's record. In those contexts, a demerit serves as a formal acknowledgment of a transgression or failure to meet established standards. Over time, the concept of demerits has expanded into other areas, including workplaces and organizations, where it may be used to monitor behavior and performance.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,588, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.