Definitions for: Demean


[v] reduce in worth, character, etc.; disgrace; dishonour



Webster (1913) Definition: De*mean", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Demeaned; p. pr. & vb.
n. Demeaning.] [OF. demener to conduct, guide, manage, F.
se d['e]mener to struggle; pref. d['e]- (L. de) + mener to
lead, drive, carry on, conduct, fr. L. minare to drive
animals by threatening cries, fr. minari to threaten. See
Menace.]
1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.

[Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
--Milton.

2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed by the
reflexive pronoun.

They have demeaned themselves Like men born to
renown by life or death. --Shak.

They answered . . . that they should demean
themselves according to their instructions.
--Clarendon.



3. To debase; to lower; to degrade; -- followed by the
reflexive pronoun.

Her son would demean himself by a marriage with an
artist's daughter. --Thackeray.

Note: This sense is probably due to a false etymology which
regarded the word as connected with the adjective mean.


De*mean", n. [OF. demene. See Demean, v. t.]
1. Management; treatment. [Obs.]

Vile demean and usage bad. --Spenser.

2. Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor. [Obs.]

With grave demean and solemn vanity. --West.


De*mean", n. [See Demesne.]
1. Demesne. [Obs.]

2. pl. Resources; means. [Obs.]

You know How narrow our demeans are. --Massinger.

Synonyms: degrade, disgrace, put down

See Also: abase, chagrin, dehumanise, dehumanize, humble, humiliate, mortify, reduce

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