Speaking slightingly of mad gent, praise eccentricity (13)
I believe the answer is:
disparagement
'speaking slightingly' is the definition.
'mad gent praise eccentricity' is the wordplay.
'mad gent praise' anagrams to 'DISPARAGEMENT'.
But, I am not sure how this is indicated.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for disparagement that I've seen before include "Condemnation, scorn" , "Slight - dig at spearmen (anag)" , "contempt" , "Aspersion" , "Belittling words" .)