Dictionary.com/Word of the Day: derogate
Word of the Day for Thursday November 16, 2000:
derogate \DER-uh-gayt\, intransitive verb:
1. To deviate from what is expected.
2. To take away; to detract; -- usually with from.
Or the Japanese definition:
1. To authorize and send (another person) as one's representative.
2. To commit or entrust to another: delegate a task to a subordinate.