DEPRECATE, v.t. [L. To pray.] 1. To pray against; to pray or intreat that a present evil may be removed, or an expected one averted.The judgments we would deprecate are not removed.We should all deprecate the return of war.2. More generally, to regret; to have or to express deep sorrow at a present evil, or at one that may occur. This word is seldom used to express actual prayer; but it expresses deep regret that an evil exists or may exist, which implies a strong desire that it may be removed or averted.3. To implore mercy of.
|