depre

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deprecated p. pr. & vb. n. Deprecating ] [ L. deprecatus, p. p. of deprecari to avert by prayer, to deprecate; de- + precari to pray. See Pray. ] To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to desire the removal of. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To protest against; to advance reasons against. [ PJC ]

His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he was with difficulty induced to adandon it. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To disapprove of strongly; to express a low opinion of. [ PJC ]

adv. In a deprecating manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deprecatio; cf. F. déprécation. ] 1. The act of deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be removed or prevented. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Humble deprecation. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An imprecation or curse. [ Obs. ] Gilpin. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A strong expression of disapprobation; an expression of a low opinion. [ PJC ]

a. [ L. deprecativus: cf. F. déprécatif. ] Serving to deprecate; deprecatory. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- belittling, derogatory, pejorative, disparaging, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, denigratory, uncomplimentary. [ PJC ]

-- Dep"re*ca*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] One who deprecates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deprecatorius. ] 1. Tending to remove or avert evil by prayer; apologetic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Humble and deprecatory letters. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Serving to deprecate; expressing a low opinion of.
Syn. -- belittling, disparaging, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Depreciated p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating ] [ L. depretiatus, depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price. ] To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke.

Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate. See Decry. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie. [ 1913 Webster ]