disparag

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. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Alas! that any of my nation
Should ever so foul disparaged be. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those forbidding appearances which sometimes disparage the actions of men sincerely pious. Bp. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. desparagement. ] 1. Matching any one in marriage under his or her degree; injurious union with something of inferior excellence; a lowering in rank or estimation. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And thought that match a foul disparagement. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Injurious comparison with an inferior; a depreciating or dishonoring opinion or insinuation; diminution of value; dishonor; indignity; reproach; disgrace; detraction; -- commonly with to. [ 1913 Webster ]

It ought to be no disparagement to a star that it is not the sun. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Imitation is a disparagement and a degradation in a Christian minister. I. Taylor.

Syn. -- Indignity; derogation; detraction; reproach; dishonor; debasement; degradation; disgrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who disparages or dishonors; one who vilifies or disgraces. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. expressing a low opinion of; same as derogatory; as, disparaging remarks about the new house.
Syn. -- belittling, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ WordNet 1.5 ]