MERITORIOUS

Possessing or characterized by “merit” in the legal sense of the word. See MERITS. Meritorious cause of action. This description is sometimes applied to a person with whom the ground of action, or the consideration, originated or from whom it moved. For example, where a canse of action accrues to a woman while sole, and is sued for, after her marriage, by her husband and herself jointly, she is called the “meritorious cause of action.” Meritorious consideration. One founded upon some moral obligation; a valuable consideration in the second degree. Meritorious defense. See DEFENSE.