DETRACT, verb transitive [Latin , to draw. See Draw and Drag.]

1. Literally, to draw from. Hence, to take away from reputation or merit, through envy, malice or other motive; hence, to detract from, is to lessen or depreciate reputation or worth; to derogate from.

Never circulate reports that detract from the reputation or honor of your neighbor, without obvious necessity to justify the act.

2. To take away; to withdraw, in a literal sense.