GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Detract , 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. détracter. See Trace.]
   To take away; to withdraw.
   1913 Webster
   Detract much from the view of the without.
   Sir H. Wotton.
   
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   To take credit or reputation from; to defame.
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   That calumnious critic . . . 
   Detracting what laboriously we do.
   Drayton.
   Syn. -- To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse; vilify; defame; traduce. See Decry.
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2.       
   Detract, v. i. To take away a part or something, especially from one's credit; to lessen reputation; to derogate; to defame; -- often with from.
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   It has been the fashion to detract both from the moral and literary character of Cicero.
   V. Knox.
   
   1913 Webster