Part 182

Dep`re*ca"tion (dp`r*k"shn), n. [L. deprecatio; cf. F. déprécation.] 1. The act of deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be removed or prevented; strong expression of disapprobation.

Humble deprecation.

Milton.

2. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning.

3. An imprecation or curse. [Obs.] Gilpin.

Dep"re*ca*tive (?), a. [L. deprecativus: cf. F. déprécatif.] Serving to deprecate; deprecatory.

-- Dep"re*ca*tive*ly, adv.

Dep"re*ca`tor (?), n. [L.] One who deprecates.

Dep"re*ca*to*ry (?), a. [L. deprecatorius.] Serving to deprecate; tending to remove or avert evil by prayer; apologetic.

Humble and deprecatory letters.

Bacon.

De*pre"ci*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depreciated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating (?).] [L. depretiatus, depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price.] To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue. Addison.

Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate.

Cudworth.

To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself.

Burke.

Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate. See Decry.

De*pre"ci*ate, v. i. To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie.

De*pre`ci*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. dépréciation.] 1. The act of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value, or reputation.

2. The falling of value; reduction of worth. Burke.

3. the state of being depreciated.

De*pre"ci*a`tive (?), a. Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing depreciation; undervaluing. -- De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly, adv.

De*pre"ci*a`tor (?), n. [L.] One who depreciates.

De*pre"ci*a*to*ry (?), a. Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.

Dep"re*da*ble (?), a. Liable to depredation. [Obs.] "Made less depredable." Bacon.

Dep"re*date (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depredated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depredating (?).] [L. depraedatus, p. p. of depraedari to plunder; de- + praedari to plunder, praeda plunder, prey. See Prey.] To subject to plunder and pillage; to despoil; to lay waste; to prey upon.

It makes the substance of the body . . . less apt to be consumed and depredated by the spirits.

Bacon.