detractive, a.
(dɪˈtræktɪv)
[a. OF. detractif, -ive, f. L. type *dētractīv-us, f. dētract-: see detract v. and -ive.]
1. Conveying, of the nature of, or given to, detraction; disparaging, depreciative, defamatory, calumnious.
| 1490 Caxton Eneydos vi. 23 To saye wordes detractiues. 1618 Chapman Hesiod, Bk. of Days 40 Whispering out detractive obloquies. 1633 T. Morton Discharge 276 (T.) An envious and detractive adversary. 1767 Goldsm. Rom. Hist. (1786) II. 342 Envious and detractive. 1822 Examiner 154/1 Walpole shines more in the detractive and satirical, than in the candid and urbane. |
2. Tending to detract from: see detract v. 2.
| 1654 W. Mountague Devoute Ess. ii. iii. §2 (R.) Admitting the being of evil not at all detractive from God. 1830 Examiner 5/2 Looked upon as detractive from the merits of a production. |
† 3. ‘Having the power to take or draw away’ (T.). Obs.
| 1580 E. Knight Triall of Truth 28 (T.) [The surgeon] straightway will apply a detractive plaister. |
Hence detractively adv., deˈtractiveness.
| 1727 Bailey vol. II, Detractiveness, detracting Quality or Humour. Mod. A review detractively written. |