I. ˈderəˌgāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin derogatus, past participle of derogare, from de- + rogare to ask, ask the people about a law — more at right
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to annul or repeal in part (as a law or sentence) : restrict the force of (a law)
2. : to make to seem inferior : lower in esteem : disparage , decry
it is the aim of this paper to derogate a somewhat condescending attitude toward Oriental philosophy that is prevalent among a number of western thinkers — Jack Kaminsky
3. archaic : to take away (a part or quality of something) so as to do injury to the whole — used with from
intransitive verb
1. : to place something at a disadvantage or in disesteem especially by taking part of it away : detract — used with from
increase the authority of each dominion and not derogate from it — R.G.Menzies
some are trying to derogate from his reputation as a leader
2. : to deviate or go astray (as from a principle or standard) — used with from
Synonyms: see decry
II. -_gə̇t, -ˌgāt adjective
Etymology: Latin derogatus
archaic : inferior , debased