pejoration
Americannoun
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depreciation; a lessening in worth, quality, etc.
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Historical Linguistics. semantic change in a word to a lower, less approved, or less respectable meaning.
noun
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linguistics semantic change whereby a word acquires unfavourable connotations Compare amelioration
the English word ``silly'' changed its meaning from ``holy'' or ``happy'' by pejoration
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the process of worsening; deterioration
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The process of pejoration may take place below the level of consciousness, but in historical perspective, the direction of travel is obvious.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 27, 2016
I hope that these baths may arrest the disagreeable tendency to pejoration from which I have suffered in the past year.
From The Letters of William James, Vol. II by William James
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