Derogators

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An individual who expresses disdain or disrespect towards someone or something
2. a term used for people who belittle others through negative remarks or criticisms
3. a label for those who actively diminish the worth or reputation of others through disparaging comments

Etymology: "Derogators" is simply the plural of "derogator," which English borrowed directly from Latin "dērogātor," a word meaning one who takes away from or disparages something. The Latin noun comes from the verb "dērogō," built from "de-," meaning "down" or "away," and "rogō," meaning "to ask" or "to propose," so the original sense involved removing or detracting from something, such as a law or a reputation. The "-or" ending marks the word as an agent noun, a term for the one doing the action, which is why the plural refers to people who detract from others. The core idea of taking something away survives in the English sense of belittling someone through remarks or criticism.