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detraction

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅trac⋅tion

  [di-trak-shuhn]
Use detraction in a Sentence
–noun
the act of disparaging or belittling the reputation or worth of a person, work, etc.
Origin:
1300–50; ME (< AF) < LL dētractiōn- (s. of dētractiō), equiv. to L dētract(us) (see detract ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·trac·tion   (dĭ-trāk'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act of detracting or taking away.

  2. A derogatory or damaging comment on a person's character or reputation; disparagement: The candidate responded sharply to the long list of detractions concocted by his opponent.

de·trac'tive adj., de·trac'tive·ly adv.
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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Word Origin & History

detraction 
1340, from O.Fr. detractiun, from L. detractionem, from detrahere "take down, pull down, disparage," from de- "down" + trahere "to pull" (see tract (1)). The fem. form detractress is attested from 1716.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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