detraction
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old French detraccion, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin detractio.
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ækʃən
Noun
detraction (countable and uncountable, plural detractions)
- The act of detracting something, or something detracted; taking away; diminution.
- A derogatory or malicious statement; a disparagement, misrepresentation or slander.
- Isaac Barrow
- If indeed we consider all the frivolous and petulant discourse, the impertinent chattings, the rash censures, the spiteful detractions which are so rife in the world […]
- Isaac Barrow
- (Roman Catholic Church) The act of revealing previously unknown faults of another person to a third person.
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:slander