n. [ L. apprecari to pray to; ad + precari to pray, prex, precis, prayer. ] Earnest prayer; devout wish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A solemn apprecation of good success. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Praying or wishing good. [ Obs. ]“Apprecatory benedictions.” Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. appréciable. ] Capable of being appreciated or estimated; large enough to be estimated; perceptible; as, an appreciable quantity. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*bly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Appreciative. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Appreciated; p. pr. & vb. n. Appreciating. ] [ L. appretiatus, p. p. of appretiare to value at a price, appraise; ad + pretiare to prize, pretium price. Cf. Appraise. ] 1. To set a price or value on; to estimate justly; to value. [ 1913 Webster ]

To appreciate the motives of their enemies. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To raise the value of; to increase the market price of; -- opposed to depreciate. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money. Ramsay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be sensible of; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

To test the power of bees to appreciate color. Lubbock. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Appreciate, Estimate, Esteem. Estimate is an act of judgment; esteem is an act of valuing or prizing, and when applied to individuals, denotes a sentiment of moral approbation. See Estimate. Appreciate lies between the two. As compared with estimate, it supposes a union of sensibility with judgment, producing a nice and delicate perception. As compared with esteem, it denotes a valuation of things according to their appropriate and distinctive excellence, and not simply their moral worth. Thus, with reference to the former of these (delicate perception), an able writer says. “Women have a truer appreciation of character than men;” and another remarks, “It is difficult to appreciate the true force and distinctive sense of terms which we are every day using.” So, also, we speak of the difference between two things, as sometimes hardly appreciable. With reference to the latter of these (that of valuation as the result of a nice perception), we say, “It requires a peculiar cast of character to appreciate the poetry of Wordsworth;” “He who has no delicacy himself, can not appreciate it in others;” “The thought of death is salutary, because it leads us to appreciate worldly things aright.” Appreciate is much used in cases where something is in danger of being overlooked or undervalued; as when we speak of appreciating the difficulties of a subject, or the risk of an undertaking. So Lord Plunket, referring to an “ominous silence” which prevailed among the Irish peasantry, says, “If you knew how to appreciate that silence, it is more formidable than the most clamorous opposition.” In like manner, a person who asks some favor of another is apt to say, “I trust you will appreciate my motives in this request.” Here we have the key to a very frequent use of the word. It is hardly necessary to say that appreciate looks on the favorable side of things. we never speak of appreciating a man's faults, but his merits. This idea of regarding things favorably appears more fully in the word appreciative; as when we speak of an appreciative audience, or an appreciative review, meaning one that manifests a quick perception and a ready valuation of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To rise in value. [ See note under Rise, v. i. ] J. Morse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an appreciating manner; with appreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. appréciation. ] 1. A just valuation or estimate of merit, worth, weight, etc.; recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accurate perception; true estimation; as, an appreciation of the difficulties before us; an appreciation of colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

His foreboding showed his appreciation of Henry's character. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A rise in value; -- opposed to depreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having or showing a just or ready appreciation or perception; as, an appreciative audience. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. The quality of being appreciative; quick recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who appreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Showing appreciation; appreciative; as, appreciatory commendation. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*to*ri*ly adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. comprecatio, fr. comprecari to pray to. See Precarious. ] A praying together. [ Obs. ] Bp. Wilkins. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deprecabilis exorable. ] That may or should be deprecated. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deprecated p. pr. & vb. n. Deprecating ] [ L. deprecatus, p. p. of deprecari to avert by prayer, to deprecate; de- + precari to pray. See Pray. ] To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to desire the removal of. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To protest against; to advance reasons against. [ PJC ]

His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he was with difficulty induced to adandon it. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To disapprove of strongly; to express a low opinion of. [ PJC ]

adv. In a deprecating manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deprecatio; cf. F. déprécation. ] 1. The act of deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be removed or prevented. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Humble deprecation. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An imprecation or curse. [ Obs. ] Gilpin. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A strong expression of disapprobation; an expression of a low opinion. [ PJC ]

a. [ L. deprecativus: cf. F. déprécatif. ] Serving to deprecate; deprecatory. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- belittling, derogatory, pejorative, disparaging, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, denigratory, uncomplimentary. [ PJC ]

-- Dep"re*ca*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] One who deprecates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deprecatorius. ] 1. Tending to remove or avert evil by prayer; apologetic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Humble and deprecatory letters. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Serving to deprecate; expressing a low opinion of.
Syn. -- belittling, disparaging, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ PJC ]

v. i. To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Depreciated p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating ] [ L. depretiatus, depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de- + pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See Price. ] To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself. Burke.

Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate. See Decry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dépréciation. ] 1. The act of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value, or reputation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The falling of value; reduction of worth. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. the state of being depreciated. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing depreciation; undervaluing. -- De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] One who depreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
Syn. -- belittling, depreciative, deprecatory, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, detracting, slighting, pejorative, denigratory. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Appreciate. ] To undervalue; not to esteem. -- Dis`ap*pre`ci*a"tion n. [1913 Webster]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imprecated p. pr. & vb. n. Imprecating ] [ L. imprecatus, p. p. of imprecari to imprecate; pref. im- in, on + precari to pray. See Pray. ] 1. To call down by prayer, as something hurtful or calamitous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Imprecate the vengeance of Heaven on the guilty empire. Mickle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To invoke evil upon; to curse; to swear at. [ 1913 Webster ]

In vain we blast the ministers of Fate,
And the forlorn physicians imprecate. Rochester. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. imprecatio: cf. F. imprécation. ] The act of imprecating, or invoking evil upon any one; a prayer that a curse or calamity may fall on any one; a curse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men cowered like slaves before such horrid imprecations. Motley.

Syn. -- Malediction; curse; execration; anathema. See Malediction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of, or containing, imprecation; invoking evil; as, the imprecatory psalms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Lack of precision. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + appreciable: cf. F. inappréciable. ] Not appreciable; too small to be perceived; incapable of being duly valued or estimated. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Lack of appreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. indeprecabilis. See In- not, and Deprecate. ] Incapable or undeserving of being deprecated. Cockeram. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Irish folklore) A small mischevous elf or spirit in Irish folklore; it is often depicted in literature as a dwarfish bearded old man; -- legend tells that if a leprechaun is captured, he will reveal the location of his hidden pot of gold. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

a. Improperly appreciated. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange. Masson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to pray. ] One who prays. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray. ] 1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. “Intervals of partial and precarious liberty.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious; equivocal. -- Precarious, Uncertain. Precarious in stronger than uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari, it first signified “granted to entreaty, ” and, hence, “wholly dependent on the will of another.” Thus it came to express the highest species of uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend wholly on future casualties. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Pre*ca"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Pre*ca"ri*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. precatio. ] The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. Cotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious. ] Suppliant; beseeching. Bp. Hopkins. [ 1913 Webster ]

Precatory words (Law), words of recommendation, request, entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases creating a trust. Jarman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution. ] 1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution. [ 1913 Webster ]

They [ ancient philosophers ] treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. F. précautionner. ] 1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take precaution against. [ R. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Precautionary. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as, precautionary signals. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Taking or using precaution; precautionary. -- Pre*cau"tious*ly, adv. -- Pre*cau"*tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Preceding; antecedent; previous. [ Obs. ] Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Preceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preceding. ] [ L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before + cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. préceder. See Pre-, and Cede. ] 1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. “Harm precedes not sin.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To go before in place, rank, or importance. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Cf. F. précédence. See Precede. ] 1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which of them [ the different desires ] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action? Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Antecedence; priority; preëminence; preference; superiority. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede. ] Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. “A precedent injury.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right. [ 1913 Webster ]