derogate means to partially repeal (a law etc.). Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 79 out of 100.
derogate is pronounced /ˈdɛɹəɡeɪt/.
Why “derogate” is a great word
DEROGATE — [Verb] To detract from or disparage the value, authority, or standing of something. From Latin dērogātus, past participle of dērogō, from dē- ("from, away") + rogō ("to ask, propose a law"), thus 'to repeal part of a law, to take away from'. Unlike "denigrate," which blackens a reputation, or "abrogate," which annuls a law in whole, to derogate is to diminish by partial repeal, a formal subtraction of worth. It is the fine print that voids a clause, the whispered aside that sours a eulogy, or the architectural flaw that compromises a design—the patient, legalistic work of erosion, leaving a whole forever less than the sum of its parts.
Etymology
Inherited from Late Middle English derogaten, from derogat(e) (“annulled, abrogated”, used participially and later as the past participle of derogaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix) borrowed from Latin dērogātus, perfect passive participle of dērogō (“to annul, repeal part of a law, take away, detract from”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from dē- (“from”) + rogō (“to ask, enquire; to propose a law”). Sporadic participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.
verb
- To partially repeal (a law etc.).“By several contrary customs, […] many of the civil and canon laws are controlled and derogated.”
- To detract from (something); to disparage, belittle.“I never thought the human frailty of erring in cases of religion, infamy to a state, no more than to a council: it had therefore been neither civil nor christianly, to derogate the honour of the state for that cause [...].”
- To take away (something from something else) in a way which leaves it lessened.“Anything […] that should derogate, minish, or hurt his glory and his name.”
- To detract from (a quality of excellence, authority etc.).“In doing so she had derogated from her dignity and committed herself.”
- To act in a manner below oneself; to debase oneself.“CLOTEN. Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in't?
SECOND LORD. You cannot derogate, my lord.”
adj
- Derogated, annulled in part.“The once made oblation of Christes is herby derogate, when this sacramentall oblation and offering of thankes geuing is beleued to be propiciatory, and that it purgeth the soule, as well of the lyuynge as of the deade, agaynst this saying to the Hebrues: with one only oblation he hath made perfect for euer those that are sanctyfyed. Agayne where is remission, there is no more oblation for synnes, ”
- Debased, deteriorated.“It may be ſo, my Lord.
Heare Nature, heare deere Goddeſſe, heare :
Suſpend thy purpoſe, if thou did'ſt intend To make this Creature fruitfull :
Into her Wombe conuey ſtirrility,
Drie vp in her the Organs of increaſe,
And from her derogate body, neuer ſpring
A Babe to honor her.”