Main Entry: de·mote

Pronunciation: \di-ˈmōt, ˌdē-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): de·mot·ed; de·mot·ing

Etymology: de- + -mote (as in promote)

Date: circa 1891

1 : to reduce to a lower grade or rank
2 : to relegate to a less important position

— de·mo·tion \-ˈmō-shən\ noun