Deprecating

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  deprecate \dep"re*cate\ (d[e^]p"r[-e]*k[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p.
     p. {Deprecated} (-k[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Deprecating} (-k[=a]`t[i^]ng).] [L. deprecatus, p. p. of
     deprecari to avert by prayer, to deprecate; de- + precari to
     pray. See {Pray}.]
     To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to


     seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to desire
     the removal of. [archaic]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To protest against; to advance reasons against.
        [PJC]
  
              His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he
              was with difficulty induced to adandon it. --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To disapprove of strongly; to express a low opinion of.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  deprecating
       adj : tending to diminish or disparage; "belittling comments";
             "managed a deprecating smile at the compliment";
             "deprecatory remarks about the book"; "a slighting
             remark" [syn: {belittling}, {deprecative}, {deprecatory},
              {depreciative}, {depreciatory}, {slighting}]