detract — detract, distract Both words are used transitively (with an object) followed by from; but their meanings are different. Detract, which (more than distract) is also used without an object, means ‘to take away (a part of something), to diminish’: • … Modern English usage
Detract — De*tract , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detracted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Detracting}.] [L. detractus, p. p. of detrahere to detract; de + trahere to draw: cf. F. d[ e]tracter. See {Trace}.] 1. To take away; to withdraw. [1913 Webster] Detract much from the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Detract — De*tract , v. i. To take away a part or something, especially from one s credit; to lessen reputation; to derogate; to defame; often with from. [1913 Webster] It has been the fashion to detract both from the moral and literary character of Cicero … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
detract — ► VERB (detract from) ▪ cause (something) to seem less valuable or impressive. DERIVATIVES detraction noun. ORIGIN Latin detrahere draw away … English terms dictionary
detract — I verb abate, belittle, blacken, blame, decrease, decry, defame, denigrate, depreciate, derogate, deteriorate, diminish, discommend, discount, disparage, distract, divert, draw away, lessen, lower, malign, minimize II index bait (harass), blame,… … Law dictionary
detract — early 15c., from M.Fr. détracter, from L. detractus, pp. of detrahere to take down, pull down, disparage (see DETRACTION (Cf. detraction)). Related: Detracted; detracting … Etymology dictionary
detract — belittle, minimize, disparage, derogate, *decry, depreciate Analogous words: asperse, *malign, traduce, defame, vilify, calumniate, slander, libel: reduce, lessen, diminish, *decrease Contrasted words: enhance, heighten, *intensify: magnify,… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
detract — [v] take away a part; lessen backbite*, belittle, blister, cheapen, cut rate, decrease, decry, depreciate, derogate, devaluate, diminish, discount, discredit, disesteem, draw away, knock*, laugh at, lower, minimize, misprize, reduce, subtract… … New thesaurus
detract — [dē trakt′, ditrakt′] vt. [ME detracten < L detractare, to decline, depreciate < detractus, pp. of detrahere, to draw away < de , from + trahere, to DRAW] 1. to take or draw away 2. Now Rare to belittle; disparage vi. to take something… … English World dictionary
detract — v. (d; intr., tr.) to detract from (the scandal will not detract from his fame) * * * [dɪ trækt] (d; intr., tr.) to detract from (the scandal will not detract from his fame) … Combinatory dictionary
detract — de|tract [dıˈtrækt] v detract from [detract from sth] phr v [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: detractus, past participle of detrahere to take away ] to make something seem less good ▪ One mistake is not going to detract from your achievement … Dictionary of contemporary English
