deprecet

t. See depre . depreciate (dē-prē'shi-āt), v.; pret. and pp. de preciated, ppr. depreciating. [ F. dépré cier = Sp. despreciar = Pg. depreciar; cf., with equiv. prefix dis-, It. dispregiare = OF. desprei ser, des priser, > E. dispraise, disprize ), lower the price of, undervalue, railroad stocks. The disturbances in question are the same in character as have always accompanied the use se of a depreciated , fluctuating currency. Contemporary Rev., LII. 502. 2. To undervalue or underrate; represent as of little value or merit, or of le than is commonly supposed; belittle. It is very natural for such as have not succeeded to de preciate the work of those who have. Spectator . To prove the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke . We are all inclined to depreciate whatever we have overpraised, and, on the other hand, to show undue indulgence where we have shown undue rigour. Macaulay, Warren Hastings. Another injurious consequence, resulting, in a great measure, from asceticism, was a tendency to depreciate extremely the character and the position of women. Lecky, Europ. Morals, II. 357. =Syn. 1. To lower.-2. Disparage, Detract from, etc. (see decry); to traduce, underrate, slur. II. in trans. To fall in value; become of le worth: as, a paper currency will depreciate unle it is convertible into specie; is depreciating. depreciate un The wealthy inhabitants opposed. all paper currency, from the apprehension that it would depreciate , as it had done in New England. Franklin , Autobiog., p. 112. depreciation (dē-pre-shi-a's hon), n. [F. dé préciation = Pg. depreciação , L. as if * depre tiatio ( n- ), This depreciation of their funds. Burke, Paper continues to be i ued without limit, and then comes depreciation. H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 436. 3. A belittling or running down of value or merit; conscious undervaluation or underestimation of the merits of a person, action, or thing; unfavorable judgment or scant praise: as, he is much given to the depreciation of even his best friends. I have received from some a degree of credit for having kept silence, and from others some depreciation . A statue of Handel by Roubincoln, in Raymond, p. 83. hall in 1738, but of the general depreciation and condem nation of his music there can be no doubt. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., iv.