de·tract / diˈtrakt/ • v. 1. [intr.] (detract from) reduce or take away the worth or value of: these quibbles in no way detract from her achievement. ∎  [tr.] deny or take away (a quality or achievement) so as to make its subject seem less impressive: it detracts not one iota from the credit due to them.2. [tr.] (detract someone/something from) divert or distract (someone or something) away from: the complaint was timed to detract attention from the ethics issue.DERIVATIVES: de·trac·tion / -ˈtrakshən/ n.de·trac·tive / -ˈtraktiv/ adj.

detract XV. f. dētract-, pp. stem of L. dētrahere draw off, take away, disparage, f. DE- 2 + trahere draw.
So detraction XIV. — (O)F. — L.