relegate
UK: ˈrelɪɡeɪt | US: ˈrelɪɡeɪt
vt. to assign to an inferior position or rank
vt. to consign or dismiss to a less important place
vt. (sports) to transfer a team to a lower division
The word "relegate" originates from Latin relegare, combining re- (back) and legare (to send). The core idea is "sending someone or something away" or "dismissing to a lower status." Over time, it evolved in English to emphasize demotion or banishment, whether in social hierarchy (e.g., relegating tasks) or sports (e.g., relegating a team). The morpheme leg- also appears in related words like "delegate" (to send with authority) and "legate" (an envoy).
The manager decided to relegate the outdated files to storage.
After poor performance, the club was relegated to a lower league.
She refused to let society relegate her to a secondary role.
The professor relegated the tangential topic to a footnote.
Ancient Rome often relegated political dissidents to remote provinces.