Definition of detract

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detraction >

de·tract    (d-trkt) KEY 

VERB:
de·tract·ed, de·tract·ing, de·tracts
VERB:
tr.

1. To draw or take away; divert: They could detract little from so solid an argument.
2. Archaic To speak ill of; belittle.

VERB:
intr.

To reduce the value, importance, or quality of something. Often used with from: testimony that only detracts from the strength of the plaintiff's case.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English detracten, from Latin dtrahere, dtract-, to remove : d-, de- + trahere, to pull. Sense 2, from Latin dtractre, frequentative of dtrahere, to take away

OTHER FORMS:
de·tractor(Noun)