derogate

Verb

WordNet 3.0

Verb (1)

  1. cause to seem less serious; play down“Don't belittle his influence”Synonyms: minimizebelittledenigrate
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Derogate \Der"o*gate\, v. i.

1.To take away; to detract; to withdraw; -- usually with from. [1913 Webster]

If we did derogate from them whom their industry hath made great.— Hooker.[1913 Webster]
It derogates little from his fortitude, while it adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity.— Burke.[1913 Webster]

2.To act beneath one-s rank, place, birth, or character; to degenerate. [R.] [1913 Webster]

You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors? Would he be the degenerate scion of that royal line?— Hazlitt.[1913 Webster]

Derogate \Der"o*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Derogated; p. pr. & vb. n. Derogating.] [L. derogatus, p. p. of derogare to derogate; de- + rogare to ask, to ask the people about a law. See Rogation.]

1.To annul in part; to repeal partly; to restrict; to limit the action of; -- said of a law. [1913 Webster]

By several contrary customs, . . . many of the civil and canon laws are controlled and derogated.— Sir M. Hale.[1913 Webster]

2.To lessen; to detract from; to disparage; to depreciate; -- said of a person or thing. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Anything . . . that should derogate, minish, or hurt his glory and his name.— Sir T. More.[1913 Webster]

Derogate \Der"o*gate\, n. [L. derogatus, p. p.] Diminished in value; dishonored; degraded. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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