First Known Use: 1628
Dictionary
deprecate
verb dep·re·cate \ˈde-pri-ˌkāt\
: to criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something)
dep·re·cat·eddep·re·cat·ing
Full Definition of DEPRECATE
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to pray against (as an evil) b : to seek to avert <deprecate the wrath … of the Roman people — Tobias Smollett>
2
: to express disapproval of
3
a : play down : make little of <speaks five languages … but deprecates this facility — Time> b : belittle, disparage <the most reluctantly admired and least easily deprecated of … novelists — New Yorker>
— dep·re·cat·ing·ly \-ˌkā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
— dep·re·ca·tion \ˌde-pri-ˈkā-shən\ noun
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Origin of DEPRECATE
Latin deprecatus, past participle of deprecari to avert by prayer, from de- + precari to pray — more at pray
Related to DEPRECATE
Rhymes with DEPRECATE
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