Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Demote \De*mote"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demoted}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Demoting}.] [Pref. de- + mote, as in promote; cf. L.
   demovere to remove.]
   To reduce to a lower grade, as in school.

Source : WordNet®

demote
     v : assign to a lower position; reduce in rank; "She was demoted
         because she always speaks up"; "He was broken down to
         Sargeant" [syn: {bump}, {relegate}, {break}, {kick
         downstairs}] [ant: {promote}]