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detract

 - 2 dictionary results

de⋅tract

  [di-trakt]
Use detract in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to take away a part, as from quality, value, or reputation (usually fol. by from).
–verb (used with object)
2. to draw away or divert; distract: to detract another's attention from more important issues.
3. Archaic. to take away (a part); abate: The dilapidated barn detracts charm from the landscape.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME (< MF detracter) < L dētractus drawn away (ptp. of dētrahere), equiv. to dē- de- + tractus drawn; see tract 1

Related forms:
de⋅tract⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
de⋅trac⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To detract
de·tract   (dĭ-trākt')   
v.   de·tract·ed, de·tract·ing, de·tracts

v.   tr.

  1. To draw or take away; divert: They could detract little from so solid an argument.

  2. Archaic To speak ill of; belittle.

v.   intr.
To reduce the value, importance, or quality of something. Often used with from: testimony that only detracts from the strength of the plaintiff's case.

[Middle English detracten, from Latin dētrahere, dētract-, to remove : dē-, de- + trahere, to pull. Sense 2, from Latin dētractāre, frequentative of dētrahere, to take away.]
de·trac'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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