Defn: A tissue of growing cells, or cells capable of further division.
MERIT
Mer"it, n. Etym: [F. mérite, L. meritum, fr. merere, mereri, to
deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share; akin to Gr. Market,
Merchant, Mercer, Mercy.]
1. The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert. Here may men see how sin hath his merit. Chaucer. Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought For things that others do; and when we fall, We answer other's merits in our name. Shak.
2. Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state of deserving well; worth; excellence. Reputation is … oft got without merit, and lost without deserving. Shak. To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, And every author's merit, but his own. Pope.
3. Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits. Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth. Prior.
MERIT
Mer"it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Merited; p. pr. & vb. n. Meriting.] Etym:
[F. mériter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr. merere. See Merit, n.]
1. To earn by service or performance; to have a right to claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a bad sense; as, to merit punishment. "This kindness merits thanks." Shak.
2. To reward. [R. & Obs.] Chapman.
MERIT
Mer"it, v. i.
Defn: To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.