DISPARAGE

disparage, belittle, pick at

(verb) express a negative opinion of; “She disparaged her student’s efforts”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

disparage (uncountable)

(obsolete) Inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior.

Verb

disparage (third-person singular simple present disparages, present participle disparaging, simple past and past participle disparaged)

To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor.

To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.

To ridicule, mock, discredit.

Source: Wiktionary

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Dis*par"age (; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disparaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Disparaging.] Etym: [OF. desparagier, F. déparager, to marry unequally; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F. parage extraction, lineage, from L. par equal, peer. See Peer.]

1. To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor by an unequal marriage. [Obs.] Alas! that any of my nation Should ever so foul disparaged be. Chaucer.

2. To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue. Those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious. Bp. Atterbury. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms. Milton.

Syn.

– To decry; depreciate; undervalue; underrate; cheapen; vilify; reproach; detract from; derogate from; degrade; debase. See Decry.

Dis"pa*rage`, n.

Definition: Inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior. [Obs.] Chaucer. Dissuaded her from such a disparage. Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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