/ ˈdetrɪmənt; NAmE / noun
[ U , C , usually sing. ] ( formal ) the act of causing harm or damage; sth that causes harm or damage
•
IDIOMS
- to the detriment of sb/sth | to sb/sth's detriment
- without detriment (to sb/sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English in the sense loss sustained by damage : from Old French , from Latin detrimentum , from detri- , stem of deterere wear away.