The word "demerit" (/dɪˈmɛrɪt/) is spelled with the prefix "de-", meaning "down" or "away", and the noun "merit", meaning "worthiness" or "something earned". The spelling follows the standard English rules for prefix and suffix additions, with a single consonant added after the prefix to maintain correct pronunciation. The word is often used in educational or disciplinary settings to refer to points deducted for bad behavior or poor performance.
Demerit refers to a fault, flaw, or undesired quality or characteristic of a person, thing, or action that is deemed negative, undesirable, or worthy of criticism or disapproval. It can also be defined as a point of disadvantage or shortcoming that can result in a deduction of points, marks, or privileges, often in a system of evaluation, assessment, or discipline.
In the context of personal or behavioral evaluation, a demerit may pertain to an aspect of someone's behavior, demeanor, attitude, or performance that is considered inappropriate, objectionable, or against established standards or norms. These demerits are often recorded or noted as a means of evaluation, often in educational institutions or professional settings, and can have consequences such as the denial of privileges, withholding of rewards, or the imposition of penalties or disciplinary actions.
Furthermore, in systems of evaluation or grading, demerits can be points or marks subtracted from an individual's overall score, resulting from errors, mistakes, or shortcomings in their work or behavior. These demerits typically serve as indicators of suboptimal performance or non-compliance with rules, guidelines, or expectations. Accumulating a certain number of demerits can lead to further consequences, such as academic probation or loss of certain privileges.
Overall, demerit serves as a measurement or evaluation of negative qualities, lapses, or shortcomings and can have adverse effects on an individual's position, reputation, or prospects in various spheres of life.
That which deserves punishment; opposite of merit.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "demerit" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "dēmerēre", which is a combination of the prefix "dē-" meaning "down" and "merēre" meaning "to earn" or "to deserve". The term evolved through Old French and Middle English before becoming "demerit" in its current form. Its original meaning of "losing merit" or "deserving blame" still remains today.