The Collaborative International Dictionary
Depreciate \De*pre"ci*ate\ (d[-e]*pr[=e]"sh[i^]*[=a]t), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depreciated
(d[-e]*pr[=e]"sh[i^]*[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depreciating (d[-e]*pr[=e]"sh[i^]*[=a]`t[i^]ng).] [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.
Wiktionary
1 That is declining in value. 2 That degrades the value of something; deprecating. v
(present participle of depreciate English)
WordNet
adj. tending to decrease or cause a decrease in value; "a depreciating currency"; "depreciatory effects on prices" [syn: depreciative, depreciatory]
Usage examples of "depreciating".
But undoubtedly praise and admiration are highly efficient: a pretty girl blushes when a man gazes intently at her, though she may know perfectly well that he is not depreciating her.
Whenever we believe that others are depreciating or even considering our personal appearance, our attention is vividly directed to the outer and visible parts of our bodies.
Now, whenever we know, or suppose, that others are depreciating our personal appearance, our attention is strongly drawn towards ourselves, more especially to our faces.