E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Demerit
has reversed its original meaning (Latin, demereo, to merit, to deserve). Hence Plautus, Demertas dare laudas (to accord due praise); Ovid, Numna culta demeruisse; Livy, demerri beneficio civitatem. The de- is intensive, as in “de-mand,” “describe,” “de-claim,” etc.; not the privative deorsum, as in the word “de-fame.”
tas dare laudas (to accord due praise); Ovid, Num
ri beneficio civitatem. The de- is intensive, as in “de-mand,” “describe,” “de-claim,” etc.; not the privative deorsum, as in the word “de-fame.”
