mĕrĭtōrĭus, a, um, adj. [mereo], of or belonging to the earning of money, by which money is earned, for which money is paid, that brings in money (class.).
- I. In gen.: vehicula, Suet. Calig. 39: balinea, Plin. Ep. 2, 17: cenaculum, Suet. Vit. 7: artificia, Sen. Ep. 88, 1: salutatio, by which one hopes to obtain money, interested, id. Brev. Vit. 14, 3: in meritorio stabulo, Paul. Sent. 2, 31, 16.
- B. Subst.: mĕrĭtōria, ōrum, n., places or rooms which are let out for a short time, Juv. 3, 234: facere, to let out rooms for a short time (opp. locare, to rent by the year), Dig. 7, 1, 13.
- II. In partic., of or belonging to the earning of money by prostitution, that earns money by prostitution: pueri, Cic. Phil. 2, 41, 105: scorta, Suet. Claud. 15.
- B. Subst.: mĕrĭtōrium, ii, n., a bawdy-house, brothel (post-class.), Firm. Math. 6, 31.