Etymology Inherited from Late Middle English derogaten, from derogat(e) (“annulled, abrogated”, used participially and later as the past participle of derogaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix) borrowed from Latin dērogātus, perfect passive participle of dērogō (“to annul, repeal part of a law, take away, detract from”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from dē- (“from”) + rogō (“to ask, enquire; to propose a law”). Sporadic participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.
1
To partially repeal (a law etc.).
By several contrary customs, […] many of the civil and canon laws are controlled and derogated.1713, Matthew Hale, A History and Analysis of the Common Law of England:
2
To detract from (something); to disparage, belittle.
I never thought the human frailty of erring in cases of religion, infamy to a state, no more than to a council: it had therefore been neither civil nor christianly, to derogate the honour of the state for that cause [...].1642, John Milton, An Apology for Smectymnuus:
When the need for self-affirmation is satisfied through other means, one is less compelled to derogate members of negatively stereotyped groups.1999, Ziva Kunda, Social Cognition, page 222:
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Bandura (1990) gave a related example of gas chamber operators in Nazi prison camps, who found it necessary to derogate and dehumanize their victims rather than become overwhelmed by distress.2001, Russell Cropanzano, Justice in the Workplace, volume II, page 104:
3
Ambitransitive To take away (something from something else) in a way which leaves it lessened.
Anything […] that should derogate, minish, or hurt his glory and his name.1532, Thomas More, The Supper of the Lord:
It derogates little from his fortitude, while it adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity.1790 November, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. […], London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […], →OCLC:
4
To detract from (a quality of excellence, authority etc.).
In doing so she had derogated from her dignity and committed herself.1857, Anthony Trollope, Barchester Towers, Volume the Second, →ISBN, page 147:
God does not have the attributes of a Christian Providence, for it would derogate from His perfection to think about anything except what is perfect, i.e. Himself.1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.19:
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The six-member Committee on Standards and Conduct unanimously recommended that the Senate censure the Connecticut Democrat for behavior that is "contrary to good morals, derogates from the public trust expected of a Senator, and tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute."1967 December 5, “The undoing of Dodd”, in Time:
5
To act in a manner below oneself; to debase oneself.
CLOTEN. Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't? SECOND LORD. You cannot derogate, my lord.1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors? Would he be the degenerate scion of that royal line?1830 August, William Hazlitt, edited by P.P. Howe, The Complete Works of William Hazlitt, published 1967, page 302:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English derogat(e) (“annulled, abrogated”, used participially and later as the past participle of derogaten), see Etymology 1 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.
1
Obsolete, As a participle Derogated, annulled in part.
The once made oblation of Christes is herby derogate, when this sacramentall oblation and offering of thankes geuing is beleued to be propiciatory, and that it purgeth the soule, as well of the lyuynge as of the deade, agaynst this saying to the Hebrues: with one only oblation he hath made perfect for euer those that are sanctyfyed. Agayne where is remission, there is no more oblation for synnes, making vs cleane by hym.1563 March 30 (Gregorian calendar), John Foxe, “The Martyrdom of Frankesh, Middleton and Sheterden”, in Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […] Iohn Day, […], →OCLC, book V, page [1302]:
It may be ſo, my Lord. Heare Nature, heare deere Goddeſſe, heare : Suſpend thy purpoſe, if thou did'ſt intend To make this Creature fruitfull : Into her Wombe conuey ſtirrility, Drie vp in her the Organs of increaſe, And from her derogate body, neuer ſpring A Babe to honor her.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 289, column 1: