Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Meritorious \Mer`i*to"ri*ous\, a. [L. meritorius that brings in
   money.]
   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.
   -- {Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness}, n.

Source : WordNet®

meritoriousness
     n : the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance);
         "there were many children whose deservingness he
         recognized and rewarded" [syn: {deservingness}, {merit}]