Dictionary

detraction en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /dɪˈtɹækʃən/

Etymology

From Middle English detraction, detraccion, detraccioun, from Old French detraccion, from Latin dētractiō.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The act of detracting something, or something detracted; taking away; diminution.
2. (countable, uncountable) A derogatory or malicious statement; a disparagement, misrepresentation or slander.
   • 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[…] a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number)”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC:
3. (countable, uncountable) The act of revealing previously unknown faults of another person to a third person.

Forms