deprecative 
LL. deprecations, < L. drpwtiri : see deprecate.'] 
Serving to deprecate ; deprecatory. 
The form Itself Is very ancient, consisting ... of two 
parts, the first deprecative, the second Indicative ; the one 
intrc -;itinj! for pnrilon, the othrr dixprnslliK it. 
L'tnnht',', < 'nmpjMiion to the Temple, I. 7''^. 
deprecator (dep're-ka-tor), n. [< L. d _ 
< ilc/>recari, deprecate : see deprecate."] One who 
deprecates. 
deprecatory (dep're-ka-to-ri), o. and n. [= OF. 
di-prcrntiri; V. di'/>ri t'liloirt' = Sp. Pg. It. dc- 
precatorio, < LL. deprecatoriiis, < L. deprccari, 
deprecate : see deprecator, deprecate.'] I. . 
Serving or intended to deprecate or avert some 
threatened evil or action ; characterized by en- 
treaty or protest intended to avert something 
evil or painful. 
Humble and deprecatory letters to the Scottish king. 
Bacon. 
The eyes of his little menial turned upon him that dep- 
recaturv glance of inquiry so common to slave children. 
G. W. Cable, Grandlssimes, p. 850. 
n.t A deprecating speech or act. 
There the author strutted like an Hector, now he is 
passive, full of deftrecatorief anil apologetics. 
Roger Xorth, Examen, p. 343. 
deprecet, ' See depress. 
depreciate (de-pre'shi-at), v. ; pret. and pp. de- 
preciated, ppr. depreciating. [<f LL. depreciates, 
pp. of depreciare, prop, depretiare (> P. depre- 
cier = Sp. despreciar = Pg. depreciar; cf., with 
equiv. prefix din-, It. dispreyiare = OP. desprei- 
set; despriser, > E. dispraise, disprize), lower the 
price of, undervalue, < L. de, down, + pretium, 
price: see price, price 2 , precious, etc., and cf. 
disprize. Cf. also appreciate.'] I. trans. 1. To 
lessen the value of; bring down in value or rate : 
as, to depreciate goods or prices; to depreciate 
railroad stocks. 
The disturbances in question are the same in character 
as have always accompanied the use of a depreciated, fluc- 
tuating currency. Contemporary Rev., HI. 802. 
2. To undervalue or underrate ; represent as 
of little value or merit, or of less than is com- 
monly supposed; belittle. 
It Is very natural for such as have not succeeded to de- 
preciate the work of those who have. Spectator. 
To prove the Americans ought not to be free, we are 
obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke. 
We are all Inclined to depreciate whatever we have over- 
praised, and, on the other hand, to show undue indulgence 
where we have shown undue rigour. 
Macaulay, Warren Hastings. 
Another injurious consequence, resulting, in a great 
measure, from asceticism, was a tendency to depreciate 
extremely the character and the position of women. 
Lecky, Europ. Morals, II. 357. 
= 8yn. 1. To lower. 2. Disparage, Detract from, etc. (see 
decrii) ; to traduce, underrate, slur. 
II. intrans. To fall in value ; become of less 
worth: as, a paper currency will depreciate un- 
less it is convertible into specie; real estate 
is depreciating. 
The wealthy inhabitants opposed ... all paper cur- 
rency, from the apprehension that it would de-precutte, as it 
had done in New England. Franklin, Autobiog., p. 112. 
depreciation (de-pre-shi-a'shon), n. [= P. de- 
preciation = Pg. depreciafao, < L. as if "depre- 
Hatio(n-), < depretiare, depreciate : see depreci- 
ate.'] 1. The act of lessening or bringing down 
price or value. 2. A fall in value ; reduction 
of worth. 
This depreciation of their funds. Burke. 
Paper continues to be Issued without limit, and then 
comes depreciation. 11. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 436. 
8. A belittling or running down of value or 
merit ; conscious undervaluation or underesti- 
mation of the merits of a person, action, or 
thing; unfavorable judgment or scant praise: 
as, he is much given to the depreciation of even 
his best friends. 
I have received from some a degree of credit for having 
kept silence, and from others some depreciation. 
Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 83. 
A statue of Handel by Roubiliac was erected In Vaux- 
hall in 1738, but of the general depreciation and condem- 
nation of his music there can be no doubt 
Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent, iv. 
depreciative (de-pre'shi-a-tiv), a. [< depreci- 
ate + -f're.] Tending to depreciate or under- 
value ; undervaluing or underrating. 
depredator (cle-pre shi-a-tor), n. [= F. deprf- 
clateur = Sp. despreciador = Pg. depreciador = 
It. dispreziatore, < LL. depretiator, < depretiare, 
depreciate : see depreciate.'] One who depreci- 
ates. 
No donht, in times past, kings have been the most no- 
torious false coiners and a^prwfatffra of the currency, but 
there is no danger of the like being done in modem times. 
Jepons, Money and Mech. of Exchange. 
1547 
depreciatory (de-pre'shi-a-to-ri), a. [< depre- 
ciate + -ory.] reading to depreciate. 
depredable (dcp're-da-bl), a. [< LL. as if 
*<lepra'dabili,< deiira-ifiiri, plunder: see depre- 
date.'] Liable to depredation. 
The two precedent intend tlds, That the spirit* and alre 
in their actions may be the lesse depredatory ; and the 
two latter that the blood and juice, of the body may be the 
lesse deprrdaltle. Bncon, Hist. Life and Death. 
depredate (dep're-dat), f. ; pret. and pp. depre- 
(luii'tl, ppr. depredating. [> LL. depr&datug, 
pp. of deprasdari (> OF. denreder, depreer, P. 
di-iirfder = Pg. depredar = It. depredare), plun- 
der, < L. de- + prtedari, rob, plunder, < prada, 
prey: see prey.] I. trans. To prey upon, either 
by consumption or destruction, or by plunder 
and pillage; despoil; lay waste. 
It maketh the . . . body more solid and compact, and 
o less apt to be consumed and depredated by the spirits. 
/;./.',, Nat. Hist. 
That kind of war which depredates and distresses in- 
dividuals. Marshall. 
II. intrans. To take plunder or prey; com- 
mit waste: as, wild animals depredate upon 
the corn; thieves have depredated on my prop- 
erty. 
depredation (dep-re-da'shon), n. [= P. depre- 
dation = 8p. depredation = Pg. depredacfio = 
It. depredazione, < LL. depr&datio(n-), < depra>- 
dari, plunder: see de]>redate.'] 1. The act of 
plundering; a robbing; a pillaging. 
I have now a plentiful estate, external affluence; what 
if at this moment I were bereft of all, either by fire or 
depredation' Sir M. Hale, Afflictions. 
To guard against the depredations of birds or mice. 
D. O. Mitchell, Wet Days. 
2. Waste; consumption. 3. In Scots law, the 
offense of driving away numbers of cattle or 
other beasts by the masterful force of armed 
persons : otherwise called hership. 
depredator (dep're-da-tor), n. [= F. depre- 
dateur = Sp. Pg. depredador = It. dej>redatore, 
< LL. depredator, < deprasdari, plunder: see 
depredate."] One who plunders or pillages; a 
spoiler ; a waster. 
They [brlony and colewort] be both great depredators 
of the earth, and one of them starveth the other. 
Bacon, Nat. Hist, ; 492. 
(dep're-da-to-ri), a. [< LL. as if 
depressed 
We mint conceal our actions from the surprises and 
deprehentioni of suspicion. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (cd. 18S&X I. 279. 
deprensiblet, Same as deprehentible. 
Such [qualities] as are not discernible by sense, or de- 
premnUe by certain experiments. 
Sir W. Pettie, Advice to Hartllb (1848), p. 16. 
depress (de-pres'). v. t. [< ME. depressen, de- 
presen, dejtrecen, < OP. dejiresser, press down, 
lower, < L. depressus, pp. of dcprimere (> F. de- 
primer = Sp. Pg. deprimir = It. deprimere), press 
down, < de, down, + premere, press: see press 1 . 
Cf . compress, express, etc .] 1 . To press or move 
downward ; make lower: bring to a lower level: 
as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress 
the eye. 
Unless an age too late, or cold 
Climate, or years, damp my Intended wine 
Depress'd. Milton, t. L, U. 46. 
2. To force or keep down ; cause to fall to or 
remain in a low or lower condition ; lower in 
vigor, amount, estimation, etc.: as, to depress 
stocks or the price of merchandise ; business is 
depredatory (aep're-aa-to-n), a. L< L/LI. as u 
'depr&datorius, \ deprasdari, plunder : see dep- 
redator sad depredate.] Plundering; spoiling; 
consisting in or involving pillage. 
They are a stout, well-made, bold, warlike race of peo- 
ple, redoubtable neighbours to both nations of the Korfacs, 
who often feel the effects of their depredatory incursions. 
Cook, Voyages, VII. v. 7. 
deprehendt (dep-re-hend'), v. t. [< OF. depre- 
hender, deprendre, catch, seize (cf. OF. despren- 
dre, with prefix des- priv., let go, F. deprendre, 
separate, detach), = Sp. deprender = Pg. depre- 
hender = It. deprendere, < L. deprehendere, contr. 
deprendere, seize upon, catch, find out, < de- + 
prehendere, seize, take: seeprehend, apprehend, 
comprehend, reprehend.'] 1. To catch; take un- 
awares or by surprise ; seize, as a person com- 
mitting an unlawful act. 
As if thou wert persude, 
Euen to the act of some light sinne, and deprehended so. 
Chapman, Iliad, v. 
Before the law was thoroughly established, when Moses 
came down from God, and deprehended the people in that 
idolatry to the calf. Donne, Sermons, i. 
He Is one that sneaks from a good action, as one that 
had pilferd and dare not instill,' it, and is more blushing- 
ly deprehended in this then others in sin. 
Bp. Kuril', Micro-cosmographie, A Modest Man. 
For it were fitting you did see how I live when I am 
by myselfe, . . . deprehrmling me (as yon did) at a t vine 
when I was to gratifle so many curious persons. 
Evelyn, To Dr. Jeremy Taylor. 
2. To apprehend; learn. 
But yet they (motions of minute parts of bodies] are to 
be deprehended by experience. Bacon, Nat Hist. 
deprehensiblet (dep-re-hen'si-bl), a. f< L. 
deprehetis-us, pp. of deprehendere (see depre- 
hend), + E. -ible.] Capable of being discov- 
ered, apprehended, or understood. Also de- 
prensibfe. E. Phillips. 
deprehensiblenesst (dep-re-hen'si-bl-nes), w. 
Capableness of being caught or discovered. 
Bailey, 
deprehensiont (dep-re-hen'shon), n. [= Pg. de- 
prehensao, < L. dcprehensio(n-), <. deprehendere, 
seize : see depreliend.'] A catching or seizing 
unawares ; a discovering. E. Phillips. 
Her depreheiunon is made an aggravation of her shame : 
such is the corrupt judgment of the world : to do ill trou- 
bles not man, but to be taken In doing it 
Bp. Hall, Woman taken in Adultery. 
In any other man this had been boldneas, 
And so rewarded. Pray depreti your spirit. 
Beau, and Fl., Valentinlan, I. 3. 
Slow rises worth by poverty depreued. 
Johnson, Vanity of Human Wishes, 1. 177. 
It was soon found that the best way to depress an hatd 
character was to turn it into ridicule. 
Burke, Hints for Ess. on the Drama. 
Revolutions of opinion and feeling . . . during the last 
two centuries have alternately raised and depressed the 
standard of our national morality. Macaulay, Leigh Hunt. 
3. To weigh upon; lower in feeling; make dull 
or languid; deject. 
If the heart of man is dtprest'd with cares, 
The mist is dispell'd when a woman appears. 
Gay, Beggar's Opera, i. 1. 
He ... admitted that his spirits were depretted. 
Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 191. 
But it was only natural . . . [that they) should be al- 
ternately elated and depressed as the plot went on disclos- 
ing itself to them. Macaulati, Sir J. Mackintosh. 
4f. To depreciate ; rate meanly ; belittle. 
For confidence, it Is the last but surest remedy ; name- 
ly, to depress and seem to despise whatsoever a man can- 
not attain. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, IL 337. 
5f. To repress. 
I swim upon their angers to allay 'em, 
And, like a calm, depress their fell intentions. 
Fletcher, Loyal Subject, it 1. 
6. In alg., to reduce to a lower degree, as an 
equation. 7f. To reduce to subjection ; over- 
power. 
Hit wata Ennlas the athel, <fc his highe kynde 
That sithen depreced prouinces, ifc patrounes blcovme 
Welnege of al the wele in the west iles. 
Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight (E. E. T. S.), 1. 6. 
8f. To pardon ; release ; let go. 
Hot wolde ;e, lady lonely, then leue me grante, 
& deprece your prysoun [prisoner], A pray hyra to ryse. 
Sir Qawayne and the Green Knight (E. E. T. S.), I. 1219. 
To depress the pole (naut.), to cause the pole (that is, 
the polar star) to appear lower or nearer the horizon, as 
by sailing toward the equator. =8yn. 1. To sink. S. To 
cast down, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, chill, dampen, 
depresst (de-pres'), a. [< L. depressus, pp. : see 
depress, v."]' Pressed down ; hollow in the cen- 
ter; concave. 
If the seal be depreti or hollow, 'tis lawful to wear, but 
not to seal with It Hammond, Works, I. 259. 
Depressa (de-pres'ft), n. pi. [NL., neut. pi. of 
L. depressusjfp., depressed : see depress, r.] In 
Latreille's system of classification, the fourth 
section of brachelytrous pentamerous Coleop- 
tera, containing such genera as Aleochara, etc. 
depressant (de-pres'ant), n. [< depress + -ant 1 .} 
In mtd., a sedative. 
The bromides have been considered deflbrinaton and 
depressants. Alien, and Sewrol., VI. 536. 
Depressaria (dep-re-sa'ri-ft), . [NL., < L. 
depressus, pp., depressed: see depress, P.] A 
genus of moths, family Tineidee, whose cater- 
pillars do great mischief to various umbellifer- 
ous plants, as carrots and parsnips, when left 
for seed, by eating off the flowers and capsules, 
sometimes also boring into the stems. 
depressed (de-presf), P- a. [Pp. of depress, r.] 
1. Pressed down; lowered; put on a level with 
or below the surface: as, a depressed railroad. 
Specifically 2. In anat. and ;ool., pressed 
downward, or flattened from above, and there- 
fore broader than high : as, a depressed flsh 
for example, the skate ; the depressed bill of a 
bird, as mat of the swallow : opposed to com- 
pressed. 3. In but., flattened vertically ; sunk 
below the surrounding margin : as, a depressed 
