Crossword Genius

What gives me right to it! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

merit

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'what gives' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'me right to it' is the wordplay.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'me'+'r'+'it'='MERIT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for merit that I've seen before include "Just deserts" , "credit" , "Deserve; excellence" , "Quality deserving reward" , "Deserve, be worthy of" .)

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