Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detraction \De*trac"tion\, n. [F. d['e]traction, L. detractio.]
   1. A taking away or withdrawing. [Obs.]

            The detraction of the eggs of the said wild fowl.
                                                  --Bacon.

   2. The act of taking away from the reputation or good name of
      another; a lessening or cheapening in the estimation of
      others; the act of depreciating another, from envy or
      malice; calumny.

   Syn: Depreciation; disparagement; derogation; slander;
        calumny; aspersion; censure.

Source : WordNet®

detraction
     n 1: a petty disparagement [syn: {petty criticism}]
     2: the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's
        reputation (especially by slander); "let it be no
        detraction from his merits to say he is plainspoken"