denigration

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

denigration
    n 1: a belittling comment [syn: {denigration}, {belittling}]
    2: an abusive attack on a person's character or good name [syn:
       {aspersion}, {calumny}, {slander}, {defamation},
       {denigration}]
    3: the act of expressing disapproval (especially of yourself)
       [syn: {deprecation}, {denigration}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Denigration \Den`i*gra"tion\, n. [L. denigratio.]
   1. The act of making black. --Boyle.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Fig.: A blackening; defamation.
      [1913 Webster]

            The vigorous denigration of science.  --Morley.
      [1913 Webster]

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