demerit

 
Pronunciation: /diːˈmɛrɪt/

noun

  • 1a fault or disadvantage: the merits and demerits of these proposals
  • 2North American a mark awarded against someone for a fault or offence.

Derivatives

demeritorious

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɔːrɪəs/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (also in the sense 'merit'): from Old French desmerite or Latin demeritum 'something deserved', neuter past participle of demereri, from de- 'thoroughly' (also understood in medieval Latin as denoting reversal) + mereri 'to merit'