merit['merit]

n.
基本义：价值；优点；长处
works of considerable merit
相当有价值的著作

引申义：

1、功劳；功绩
That doesn't take away from his merit.
这不会影响他的功绩。
Those who have gained merit will be rewarded.
有功者奖。
A modest man will never boast of his merits.
谦虚的人决不夸自己的功劳。

2、褒奖；荣誉
Honour is a reward of merit.
荣誉是功绩的报偿。
3、[复数形态时]（本质的）是非
to decide a case on its merits
根据是非曲直断案

【辨析】
merit/value/virtue/worth
都可用做名词，含 “优点”、“价值”的意思，具体区别如下：
merit指“成就或品质中值得赞扬的优点”, 如:
The merits of your plan outweigh the defects.
你制定的计划其优点胜过缺点。
value指“重要性”、“价值”, 如:
I set a high value on his advice.
我认为他的忠告很有价值。
virtue指“美德”、“优点”, 如:
Honesty is a virtue.
诚实是一种美德。
worth着重指“人或物本质中的优点或价值”, 如:
the true worth of one's friendship
某人友谊的真正价值

【背句子记单词】
We should absorb the merits of others.
我们应吸取别人的长处。