DEROGATION, noun 1. The act of annulling or revoking a law, or some part of it. More generally, the act of taking away or destroying the value or effect of any thing, or of limiting its extent, or of restraining its operation; as, an act of parliament is passed in derogation of the kings prerogative; we cannot do any thing in derogation of the moral law. 2. The act of taking something from merit, reputation or honor; a lessening of value or estimation; detraction; disparagement; with from or of; as, I say not this in derogation of Virgil; let nothing be said in derogation from his merit.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI