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deprecatory

[dep-ri-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
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adjective
  1. of the nature of or expressing disapproval, protest, or depreciation.
  2. apologetic; making apology.
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Origin of deprecatory

1580–90; < Late Latin dēprecātōrius, equivalent to Latin dēprecā(rī) (see deprecate) + -tōrius -tory1
Related formsdep·re·ca·to·ri·ly, adverbdep·re·ca·to·ri·ness, nounnon·dep·re·ca·to·ri·ly, adverbnon·dep·re·ca·to·ri·ly·ness, nounnon·dep·re·ca·to·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

critical, deprecative, depreciatory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, slighting, uncomplimentary

Examples from the Web for deprecatory

Historical Examples

  • Austin waved them away with a deprecatory gesture and a smile.

    Viviette

    William J. Locke

  • The Israelite did not answer, nor seem to hear this deprecatory remonstrance.

    Leila, Complete

    Edward Bulwer-Lytton

  • The clerk waved a deprecatory hand in Captain Cy's direction.

    Cy Whittaker's Place

    Joseph C. Lincoln

  • Composing himself, he turned to the girl again with a deprecatory smile.

    Captain Blood

    Rafael Sabatini

  • And with a deprecatory smile I added, "I am said somewhat to resemble him."

British Dictionary definitions for deprecatory

deprecatory

adjective
  1. expressing disapproval; protesting
  2. expressing apology; apologetic
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Derived Formsdeprecatorily, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for deprecatory

adj.

1580s, from Late Latin deprecatorius, from deprecat-, past participle stem of deprecari (see deprecation).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper