Detractings

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of diminishing the value, importance, or quality of something ; actions or remarks that cause a reduction in reputation or effectiveness ; those behaviors that lessen the overall positive perception of a person or thing
2. The process of causing something to seem less significant, worthy, or effective ; speech or conduct aimed at reducing merit or esteem ; activities that undermine the standing or appeal of an individual or object
3. Acts or statements that impair or decrease the worth, credibility, or attractiveness of something ; expressions that divert attention away from positive aspects ; behaviors that lessen the overall impact or favorability of an entity

Etymology: "Detractings" is simply the plural of "detracting," the present participle of the verb "detract," so it names several instances of the act at once. The verb itself traces to Latin "detrahere," meaning "to draw away" or "to pull down," built from "de-" (down, away) and "trahere" (to draw). That physical sense of drawing something away from its place is the thread running through the word's later uses. In English, "detract" originally kept that concrete idea of taking something away from a whole, and its figurative sense of lessening worth or reputation developed from it. Hence the plural form describes repeated acts of pulling value or esteem away from someone or something, one diminishment after another.