detrahere de aliquo or de aliqua re (to take away something from the merits, etc., of a person or thing; e.g., de alicujus rebus gestis, fama, gloria): (verbis) elevare aliquem or aliquid (to speak lightly, and so depreciate the moral worth of anything, alicujus facta, res gestas, auctoritatem): minuere or imminuere (to lessen, alicujus gloriam, laudem): detrectare (so to deal with an object as to lower it IMPROP.; implying a feeling of antipathy; Sall., Liv., Ov., alicujus virtutes, laudes, etc.): obtrectare alicui or alicui rei (to set one’s self against a person or his merits, etc., from envy or jealousy; it implies active opposition and rivalry, laudibus or laudes alicujus).