Main Entry:

der·o·gate

Pronunciation:

\ˈder-ə-ˌgāt, ˈde-rə-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

der·o·gat·ed; der·o·gat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Late Latin derogatus, past participle of derogare, from Latin, to annul (a law), detract, from de- + rogare to ask, propose (a law) — more at right

Date:

15th century

transitive verb : to cause to seem inferior : disparage intransitive verb 1 : to take away a part so as to impair : detract 2 : to act beneath one's position or character

— der·o·ga·tion \ˌder-ə-ˈgā-shən, ˌde-rə-\ noun

— de·ro·ga·tive \di-ˈrä-gə-tiv\ adjective