dictionary definitions for "discredit"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Discredit \Dis*cred"it\, n. [Cf. F. discr['e]dit.]
     1. The act of discrediting or disbelieving, or the state of
        being discredited or disbelieved; as, later accounts have
        brought the story into discredit.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Hence, some degree of dishonor or disesteem; ill repute;
        reproach; -- applied to persons or things.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              It is the duty of every Christian to be concerned
              for the reputation or discredit his life may bring
              on his profession.                    --Rogers.
  
     Syn: Disesteem; disrepute; dishonor; disgrace; ignominy;
          scandal; disbelief; distrust.
          [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Discredit \Dis*cred"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Discredited; p.
     pr. & vb. n. Discrediting.] [Cf. F. discr['e]diter.]
     1. To refuse credence to; not to accept as true; to
        disbelieve; as, the report is discredited.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To deprive of credibility; to destroy confidence or trust
        in; to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              An occasion might be given to the . . . papists of
              discrediting our common English Bible. --Strype.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To deprive of credit or good repute; to bring reproach
        upon; to make less reputable; to disgrace.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He. . . least discredits his travels who returns the
              same man he went.                     --Sir H.
                                                    Wotton.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  discredit
      n 1: the state of being held in low esteem; "your actions will
           bring discredit to your name"; "because of the scandal the
           school has fallen into disrepute" [syn: disrepute,
           discredit] [ant: reputation, repute]
      v 1: cause to be distrusted or disbelieved; "The paper
           discredited the politician with its nasty commentary"
      2: damage the reputation of; "This newspaper story discredits
         the politicians" [syn: discredit, disgrace]
      3: reject as false; refuse to accept [syn: disbelieve,
         discredit] [ant: believe]


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