belittle

Meaning

Verb

• To knowingly say that something is smaller or less important than it actually is, especially as a way of showing contempt or deprecation.

Origin

• From be- + little. .{{cite-book
• |lang=en
• |year=1802
• |author=Thomas Jefferson
• |authorlink=Thomas Jefferson
• |title=Notes on the State of Virginia
• |chapter=Productions, mineral, vegetable and animal
• |page=90