1. To take away; to detract; to withdraw; — usually with from. If we did derogate from them whom their industry hath made great. Hooker. It derogates little from his fortitude, while it adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity. Burke.
2. To act beneath one-s rank, place, birth, or character; to degenerate. [R.] You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate. Shak. Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors Would he be the degenerate scion of that royal line Hazlitt.
DEROGATE
Der"o*gate, n. Etym: [L. derogatus, p. p.]
Defn: Diminished in value; dishonored; degraded. [R.] Shak.
DEROGATELY
Der"o*gate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a derogatory manner.
DEROGATION
Der`o*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. derogatio: cf. F. dérogation.]
1. The act of derogating, partly repealing, or lessening in value; disparagement; detraction; depreciation; — followed by of, from, or to. I hope it is no derogation to the Christian religion. Locke. He counted it no derogation of his manhood to be seen to weep. F. W. Robertson.
2. (Stock Exch.)
Defn: An alteration of, or subtraction from, a contract for a sale of stocks.