Dictionary entry

Disparage

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Dis‐par″age (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Disparaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Disparaging (?).] [OF. desparagier, F. déparager, to marry unequally; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F. parage extraction, lineage, from L. par equal, peer. See Peer.] 1. To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor by an unequal marriage.

Alas! that any of my nation

Should ever so foul disparaged be. Chaucer.

2. To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.

Those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious. Bp. Atterbury.

Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms. Milton.

Syn. — To decry; depreciate; undervalue; underrate; cheapen; vilify; reproach; detract from; derogate from; degrade; debase. See Decry.