meritorious (adj.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[meritorious 词源字典]
early 15c., "deserving of divine grace," from Latin meritorius "that for which money is paid, that by which money is earned," from meritus, past participle of merere "to earn" (see merit (n.)). Related: Meritoriously; meritoriousness.[meritorious etymology, meritorious origin, 英语词源]