Demean

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɪˈmiːn/
• Rhymes: -iːn

(1595) From - + mean "lowly, base" from Middle English mene, aphetic variation of imene ("mean, base, common"), from Old English ġemǣne ("mean, common").

Full definition of demean

Verb

1. To debase; to lower; to degrade.
• ThackerayHer son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter.
2. To humble, humble oneself; to humiliate.
3. To mortify.

Synonyms

• debase
• lower
• degrade

Middle English demenen, demeinen, from Anglo-Norman demener, from Old French demener, from de- + mener ("to conduct, lead"), from Vulgar Latin *mināre ("to drive") and Latin minārī ("to threaten").

Verb

1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.
• MiltonOur clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; followed by the reflexive pronoun.
• ShakespeareThey have demeaned themselves
  Like men born to renown by life or death.
• ClarendonThey answered ... that they should demean themselves according to their instructions.

Noun

1. (archaic) Management; treatment.
• Spenservile demean and usage bad
2. (archaic) Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
• 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, V.5:‘When thou hast all this doen, then bring me newes
  Of his demeane ….’
• Westwith grave demean and solemn vanity

Related terms

• demeanor

Var. of demesne.

Noun

1. demesne.
2. resources; means.

Anagrams

• amened
• meaned
• Medean