detraction

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈtɹækʃən/

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

  Rhymes: -ækʃən

Noun

detraction (countable and uncountable, plural detractions)

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

     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 […]

3. (Roman Catholicism) The act of revealing previously unknown faults of another person to a third person.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:slander

Anagrams

• tractioned