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Webster 1913 Edition


derogatory

de-rog′a-to-ry

,
Adj.
Tending to derogate, or lessen in value; expressing a low opinion; expressing derogation; detracting; injurious; – with
from
,
to
, or
unto
.

Syn. – belittling, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory.
Acts of Parliament
derogatory
from the power of subsequent Parliaments bind not.
Blackstone.
His language was severely censured by some of his brother peers as
derogatory
to their other.
Macaulay.
Derogatory clause in a testament
(Law)
,
a sentence of secret character inserted by the testator alone, of which he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a condition that no will he may make thereafter shall be valid, unless this clause is inserted word for word; – a precaution to guard against later wills extorted by violence, or obtained by suggestion.

Webster 1828 Edition


Derogatory

DEROGATORY

,
Adj.
1.
Detracting or tending to lessen by taking something from; that lessens the extent, effect or value; with to. Let us entertain no opinions derogatory to the honor of God, or his moral government. Let us say nothing derogatory to the merit of our neighbor.
2.
A derogatory clause in a testament, is a sentence or secret character inserted by the testator, of which he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a condition that no will be may make hereafter shall be valid, unless this clause is inserted word for word; a precaution to guard against later wills extorted by violence or obtained by suggestion.

Definition 2024


derogatory

derogatory

English

Adjective

derogatory (comparative more derogatory, superlative most derogatory)

  1. (usually with to) Tending to derogate, or lessen in value of someone; expressing derogation; detracting; injurious.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Blackstone.
      Acts of Parliament derogatory from the power of subsequent Parliaments bind not.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Macaulay.
      His language was severely censured by some of his brother peers as derogatory to their other.
  2. (law) When referring to a clause in a testament: a sentence of secret character inserted by the testator alone, of which he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a condition that no will he may make thereafter shall be valid, unless this clause is inserted word for word; – a precaution to guard against later wills extorted by violence, or obtained by suggestion.

Usage notes

In common language, particularly used in the phrase “derogatory term”, equivalent to less common pejorative, and in “derogatory statements”, equivalent to more casual offensive.

Derived terms

Antonyms

Translations

Noun

derogatory (plural derogatories)

  1. A trade-line on a credit report that includes negative credit history.

Synonyms

Related terms

External links

  • derogatory in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • derogatory in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911