Detract

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DETRACTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DETRACTING.] [Lat. detrahere, detractum, from de and trahere, to draw; Fr. détracter, Sp. detractar, detraer, Pr. detraire, It. detraggere, detrarre.]

1Sense 1. To take away. “Detract much from the view of the front without.” Wotton.

2Sense 2. To take credit or reputation from; to defame.

That calumnious critic . . . Detracting what laboriously we do. Drayton.

Synonyms—To decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse; calumniate; abuse; vilify; defame; slander; traduce. See DECRY.

v. i. To remove a part; to take away reputation; to depreciate worth. “Detract from a lady’s character.” Addison.