De*pre"ci*ate (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Depreciated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Depreciating (?).] [L. depretiatus,
depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to
depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium
price. See Price.] To lessen in price or estimated value;
to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to
esteem; to undervalue. Addison.
Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look
upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate.
Cudworth.
To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we
are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom
itself.
Burke.
Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract;
underrate. See Decry.
De*pre"ci*ate, v. i. To fall in
value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper
currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into
specie.
