Legal Dictionary

derogatory

Legal Definition of derogatory

Related terms


Definition of derogatory

Etymology

    Late Latin d"rogātōrius < Latin d"rogāre; corresponding to derogate +‎ -ory.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA: /dɪˈɹ'ɡətɹi/, SAMPA: /dI"rQg@trI/
  • (US) IPA: /dɪˈɹɑɡət"ɹi/, SAMPA: /dI"rAg@tOri/

Adjective

derogatory (comparative more derogatory, superlative most derogatory)

  1. (usually with to) Tending to derogate, or lessen in value of someone; expressing derogation; detracting; injurious.

    Blackstone.
    Acts of Parliament derogatory from the power of subsequent Parliaments bind not.

    Macaulay.
    His language was severely censured by some of his brother peers as derogatory to their other.

  2. (law) When referring to a clause in a testament: a sentence of secret character inserted by the testator alone, of which he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a condition that no will he may make thereafter shall be valid, unless this clause is inserted word for word; - a precaution to guard against later wills extorted by violence, or obtained by suggestion.

Usage notes

  • In common language, particularly used in the phrase “derogatory term”, equivalent to less common pejorative, and in “derogatory statements”, equivalent to more casual offensive.

Noun

derogatory (plural derogatories)

  1. A trade-line on a credit report that includes negative credit history.

Synonyms

References:

  1. Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.



SHARE THIS PAGE

TOP LEGAL TERMS THIS WEEK
1.     lex situs
2.     landed property
3.     buggery
4.     lex fori
5.     lex causae
6.     AORO
7.     lex loci delicti commissi
8.     status quo
9.     Doctor of Laws
10.     Miranda warning