a claus importing derogation. A derogatory clause in a testament, is a certain sentence, cipher, or secret character, which the testator infers in his will, and of which he reserves the knowledge to himself alone, adding a condition, that no will he may make hereafter is to be reckoned valid, if this derogatory clause is not inserted expressly and word for word. It is a precaution invented by lawyers against latter wills extorted by violence, or obtained by suggestion.