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disparage

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅par⋅age

  [di-spar-ij]
Use disparage in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag⋅ing.
1. to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle: Do not disparage good manners.
2. to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of: Your behavior will disparage the whole family.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, OF desparag(i)er to match unequally, equiv. to des- dis- 1 + -parag(i)er, deriv. of parage equality, equiv. to par(er) to equalize (< L parāre; see peer 1 ) + -age -age

Related forms:
dis⋅par⋅ag⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. ridicule, discredit, mock, demean, denounce, derogate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To disparage
dis·par·age   (dĭ-spār'ĭj)   
tr.v.   dis·par·aged, dis·par·ag·ing, dis·par·ag·es

  1. To speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle. See Synonyms at decry.

  2. To reduce in esteem or rank.


[Middle English disparagen, to degrade, from Old French desparager : des-, dis- + parage, high birth (from per, peer; see peer2).]
dis·par'age·ment n., dis·par'ag·er n., dis·par'ag·ing·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

disparage 
c.1315, from O.Fr. desparagier "reduce in rank, degrade," originally "to cause to marry unequally," and thus by extension the disgrace or dishonor involved in this, from des- "away" + parage "rank, lineage" (see peerage). Sense of "belittle" first recorded 1536.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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