pejoration

American  

[pej-uh-rey-shuhn, pee-juh-] / ˌpɛdʒ əˈreɪ ʃən, ˌpi dʒə- /

noun

1. depreciation; a lessening in worth, quality, etc.

2. Historical Linguistics. semantic change in a word to a lower, less approved, or less respectable meaning.

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pejoration British  

/ ˌpiːdʒəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. linguistics semantic change whereby a word acquires unfavourable connotations Compare amelioration

   the English word ``silly'' changed its meaning from ``holy'' or ``happy'' by pejoration

2. the process of worsening; deterioration

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Etymology

Origin of pejoration

1650–60; < Medieval Latin pējōrātiōn- (stem of pējōrātiō ) a making worse, equivalent to Late Latin pējōrāt ( us ) (past participle of pējōrāre to make worse, derivative of pējor worse) + -iōn- -ion