D defs.my
Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913

Meritorious

/mĕrˌ-ət-ôr'-ē-əs/ · Mer·i·to·ri·ous · IPA /ˌmɛɹɪˈtɔɹi.əs/
01 a. Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable.
  1. 1.
    Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable.
    “And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized, and worshiped as a saint.” Shak.