emeritum

From the Latin ēmeritum (“a thing earned upon completion of a term of service”), a substantive use of the neuter singular form of ēmeritus (“earned, merited, having been earned; served, having done one’s service”), the perfect passive participle of ēmereō (“I earn, I merit”).

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: ĭmĕʹrĭtəm, IPA^(key): /ɪˈmɛɹɪtəm/

emeritum (plural emerita)

1. (Ancient Roman historical) A bounty awarded to a soldier upon the completion of his term of service.
   • 1854: Johann Joachim Eschenburg, Manual of Classical Literature, page 275

     At the expiration of the term of service, the soldiers received a bounty or donation in land or money, which was sometimes called emeritum; those who had served their time out being also called emeriti.

ēmeritum

1. accusative supine of ēmereō

• emeritum in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)