merit['merit]

n.
基本義：價值；優點；長處
works of considerable merit
相當有價值的著作

引申義：

1、功勞；功績
That doesn't take away from his merit.
這不會影響他的功績。
Those who have gained merit will be rewarded.
有功者獎。
A modest man will never boast of his merits.
謙虛的人決不夸自己的功勞。

2、褒獎；榮譽
Honour is a reward of merit.
榮譽是功績的報償。
3、[復數形態時]（本質的）是非
to decide a case on its merits
根據是非曲直斷案

【辨析】
merit/value/virtue/worth
都可用做名詞，含 “優點”、“價值”的意思，具體區別如下：
merit指“成就或品質中值得贊揚的優點”, 如:
The merits of your plan outweigh the defects.
你制定的計劃其優點勝過缺點。
value指“重要性”、“價值”, 如:
I set a high value on his advice.
我認為他的忠告很有價值。
virtue指“美德”、“優點”, 如:
Honesty is a virtue.
誠實是一種美德。
worth著重指“人或物本質中的優點或價值”, 如:
the true worth of one's friendship
某人友誼的真正價值

【背句子記單詞】
We should absorb the merits of others.
我們應吸取別人的長處。