derogation

American  

[der-uh-gey-shuhn] / ˌdɛr əˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of weakening, lessening, or taking away power or authority.

   Nixon’s impeachment was based in part on his bombing campaign in Cambodia and the resulting derogation of the power of the Congress to declare war.

2. a limit, retraction, or removal, especially of a law or right.

   In some circumstances, derogations of the right of access to a lawyer may be necessary.

3. the act of belittling or disparaging a person or thing.

   The derogation of the author’s credentials is sadly typical of today’s anti-intellectual atmosphere.

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Other Word Forms

• nonderogation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of derogation

First recorded in 1540–50; from French dérogation, from Latin dērogātiōn-, stem of dērogātiō “a repeal, restriction”; see derogate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Explanation

When someone puts down or ridicules another person or group, that's derogation. Your sister might think her constant teasing is all in good fun, but if you view it as derogation, you should tell her to cut it out. You'll often find this word used as a mass noun, to talk about entire categories or groups of people, like when business owners contribute to the derogation of homeless people by claiming they may be dangerous to their customers. You can also use it more generally to mean "belittlement." In legal jargon, derogation refers to a law whose effects are limited by its partial repeal.

Example Sentences

Derogation, which would be needed, amounts to a temporary and partial withdrawal from the convention.

From The Guardian • Jun. 7, 2017

A 2011 research paper in the journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science sums it up in the title: Do Gooder Derogation: Disparaging Morally Motivated Minorities to Defuse Anticipated Reproach.

From The Guardian • Jan. 15, 2017

He didn't describe it further, contrary to his common practice, and I only knew later, by Mrs. Limbert, that he had begun Derogation and that he was completely full of his subject.

From Embarrassments by James, Henry

Derogation is a splendid fragment; it evidently would have been one of his high successes.

From Embarrassments by James, Henry

Derogation of these restrictions would have meant loss and injury to some peninsular subjects that had grown rich and powerful through them.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 2 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher