DISPARAGE

transitive verb (-aged; -aging) Etymology: Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, ~, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer Date: 14th century to lower in rank or reputation ; degrade , to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) ; speak slightingly about, see: decry ~ment noun ~r noun disparaging adjective disparagingly adverb