Crossword clues for detraction
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Detraction \De*trac"tion\, n. [F. d['e]traction, L. detractio.]
-
A taking away or withdrawing. [Obs.]
The detraction of the eggs of the said wild fowl.
--Bacon. -
The act of taking away from the reputation or good name of another; a lessening or cheapening in the estimation of others; the act of depreciating another, from envy or malice; calumny.
Syn: Depreciation; disparagement; derogation; slander; calumny; aspersion; censure.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
mid-14c., from Old French detraccion "detraction, disparagement, denigration," from Latin detractionem (nominative detractio) "a drawing off," from past participle stem of detrahere "take down, pull down, disparage," from de- "down" (see de-) + trahere "to pull" (see tract (n.1)). The fem. form detractress is attested from 1716.
Wiktionary
n. 1 The act of detracting something, or something detracted. 2 A derogatory or malicious statement; a disparagement, misrepresentation or slander. 3 (''Roman Catholic Church'') The act of revealing previously unknown faults of another person to a third person.
WordNet
n. a petty disparagement [syn: petty criticism]
the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation (especially by slander); "let it be no detraction from his merits to say he is plainspoken"
Wikipedia
In Roman Catholic theology, detraction is the sin of revealing another person's faults to a third person without a valid reason. This differs from the sin of calumny and the civil wrong of defamation, which generally involve false accusations rather than unflattering truths.
As in the case of stealing, detraction is a sin which demands restitution, even though rebuilding a victim's reputation may be nearly impossible. A commonly cited parable in this regard concerns a priest, often said to be Philip Neri, who gave a woman who had confessed to spreading gossip the penance of retrieving feathers that had been scattered on the wind—a task as impossible as undoing the damage she had done.
Usage examples of "detraction".
In detraction you are a thief, and a thief of the falsest and wickedest kind.
Of contemporary estimate of him there is little to quote except the panegyrics in verse he has preserved for us, and the inference from his own writings that he was the object of calumny and detraction.
After that Timias had againe recuredThe fauour of Belphebe, (as ye heard)And of her grace did stand againe assured,To happie blisse he was full high vprear'd,Nether of enuy, nor of chaunge afeard,Though many foes did him maligne therefore,And with vniust detraction him did beard.
She could not greatly influence her daughter-in-law against me, because, between that lady and herself there was a mutual dislike - chiefly shown by her in secret detractions and calumniations.
She recognised the futility of all that she had said, of her boastings of courage, of her detractions of Ethne.
He overlapped the sides and his feet dangled well above the dais, but these minor detractions in no way reduced his dignity.
I didnever think to marry: I must not seem proud: happyare they that hear their detractions and can putthem to mending.