The act of depreciating

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Deprecation \Dep`re*ca"tion\ (d[e^]p`r[-e]*k[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. The act of deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be removed or prevented. [archaic] Humble deprecation. --Milton. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning. An imprecation or curse. ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster the act of expressing disapproval (especially of yourself) [syn: denigration ]

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Deprecation is the discouragement of use of some feature, design or practice, typically because it has been superseded or is no longer considered safe, without (at least for the time being) removing it from the system of which it is a part or prohibiting ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
c.1500, "prayer to avert evil," from Middle French deprécation , from Latin deprecationem (nominative deprecatio ), from past participle stem of deprecari "plead in excuse, avert by prayer," literally "to pray (something) away," from de- "away" (see de- ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context uncountable English) The act of deprecate. 2 (context countable English) A praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be removed or prevented; strong expression of disapprobation. 3 entreaty for pardon; petition. 4 (context countable English) ...