Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detract \De*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detracted}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Detracting}.] [L. detractus, p. p. of detrahere to
   detract; de + trahere to draw: cf. F. d['e]tracter. See
   {Trace}.]
   1. To take away; to withdraw.

            Detract much from the view of the without. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

   2. To take credit or reputation from; to defame.

            That calumnious critic . . . Detracting what
            laboriously we do.                    --Drayton.

   Syn: To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse;
        vilify; defame; traduce. See {Decry}.