- deprecate
- \ \ see PRAY
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
deprecate
Look at other dictionaries:
deprecate — deprecate, depreciate 1. The two words are similar in form and in current use overlap somewhat in meaning, but their origin is different. Deprecate is from Latin deprecari ‘to prevent by prayer’ and its primary current meaning is ‘to express… … Modern English usage
deprecate — dep re*cate (d[e^]p r[ e]*k[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deprecated} ( k[=a] t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Deprecating} ( k[=a] t[i^]ng).] [L. deprecatus, p. p. of deprecari to avert by prayer, to deprecate; de + precari to pray. See {Pray}.] To pray… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
deprecate — I verb abominari, asperse, belittle, berate, cast aspersions, charge, decry, demean, denigrate, denounce, deplore, derogate, detract, disapprove, disclaim, discommend, discredit, disdain, disfavor, dislike, disparage, dispraise, disvalue.… … Law dictionary
deprecate — 1620s, to pray against or for deliverance from, from L. deprecatus, pp. of deprecari to pray (something) away (see DEPRECATION (Cf. deprecation)). Meaning to express disapproval is from 1640s. Related: Deprecated, deprecating … Etymology dictionary
deprecate — *disapprove Analogous words: *deplore, lament, bewail, bemoan: reprobate, reprehend, condemn (see CRITICIZE) Antonyms: endorse Contrasted words: *approve, sanction: *commend, applaud … New Dictionary of Synonyms
deprecate — [v] belittle, condemn cut down to size*, depreciate, derogate, detract, disapprove of, discommend, discountenance, disesteem, disfavor, disparage, expostulate, frown, mudsling*, not go for*, object, pooh pooh*, poor mouth*, protest against, put… … New thesaurus
deprecate — ► VERB 1) express disapproval of. 2) another term for DEPRECIATE(Cf. ↑depreciatory) (in sense 2). DERIVATIVES deprecation noun deprecatory adjective. ORIGIN originally in the sense pray to ward off evil : from Latin depre … English terms dictionary
deprecate — [dep′rə kāt΄] vt. deprecated, deprecating [< L deprecatus, pp. of deprecari, to ward off by intercession < de , off, from + precari, PRAY] 1. to feel and express disapproval of; plead against 2. to depreciate; belittle 3. Archaic to try to… … English World dictionary
deprecate — dep•re•cate [[t]ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt[/t]] v. t. cat•ed, cat•ing 1) to express earnest disapproval of 2) to depreciate; belittle • Etymology: 1615–25; < L dēprecātus, ptp. of dēprecārī to beg relief from, deprecate =dē de +precārī to pray dep′re•cat… … From formal English to slang
deprecate — deprecatingly, adv. deprecation, n. deprecator, n. /dep ri kayt /, v.t., deprecated, deprecating. 1. to express earnest disapproval of. 2. to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.). 3. to depreciate; belittle … Universalium
deprecate — [[t]de̱prɪkeɪt[/t]] deprecates, deprecating, deprecated VERB If you deprecate something, you criticize it. [FORMAL] [V n] As time went on he also deprecated the low quality of entrants to the profession... [V n] As a lawyer, I would deprecate any … English dictionary
