derogat

Derogat is not a standard entry in major English dictionaries, and its meaning is not established in English-language usage. It may appear as a conjugated or participial form in some Romance-language contexts, or as a typographical variant of derogate in edited text. Because it is not widely recognized as an independent English word, its precise definition can vary by source.

Origin and related forms: The root is Latin derogare, meaning to revoke, diminish, or contravene a rule. English derivatives include derogate (to lessen the weight or authority of something), derogation (the act or instance of derogating), and derogatory (tending to belittle or diminish). In Italian and other Romance languages, participles such as derogato or derogado are standard, derived from derogare or derogar; derogat itself would not be a typical form in those languages and is not a recognized English lexeme.

Usage: When encountered in text, it is prudent to check the source to determine whether derogat is a misspelling of derogate or a language-specific form. In legal and formal writing, the standard verb is derogate, and the related noun is derogation; the verb phrase often used is “to derogate from,” meaning to reduce the effectiveness, applicability, or authority of a rule, law, or provision.

See also: derogate; derogation; derogatory.