The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Detract \De*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detracted; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Detracting.] [L. detractus, p. p. of detrahere to
   detract; de + trahere to draw: cf. F. d['e]tracter. See
   Trace.]
   1. To take away; to withdraw.
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            Detract much from the view of the without. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.
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   2. To take credit or reputation from; to defame.
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            That calumnious critic . . .
            Detracting what laboriously we do.    --Drayton.

   Syn: To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse;
        vilify; defame; traduce. See Decry.
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