v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Depreciated p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating ] [ L. depretiatus, depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price. ] To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke.

Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate. See Decry. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dépréciation. ] 1. The act of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value, or reputation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The falling of value; reduction of worth. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. the state of being depreciated. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing depreciation; undervaluing. -- De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] One who depreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
Syn. -- belittling, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ 1913 Webster ]