De-trăc'tion, n.
n. [Lat. detractio, Fr. détraction, Pr. detraccio, Sp. detraccion, It. detrazione.]
Sense 1. The act of taking away or withdrawing. [Obs.] “The detraction of eggs of the said wild-fowl.” Bacon.
Sense 2. The act of taking away from the reputation or worth of another; a lessening of worth; the act of depreciating another, from envy or malice; calumny.
Synonyms—Depreciation; disparagement; derogation; slander; calumny; aspersion; censure.