demean

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Verb 1.2.1.1 Synonyms 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Verb 1.3.2 Noun 1.3.3 Related terms 1.4 Etymology 3 1.4.1 Noun 1.5 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːn

[edit] Etymology 1

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

[edit] Verb

to demean (third-person singular simple present demeans, present participle demeaning, simple past and past participle demeaned)

1. To debase; to lower; to degrade.
2. To humble, humble oneself; to humiliate.
3. To mortify.

[edit] Synonyms

• debase
• lower
• degrade

[edit] Etymology 2

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

[edit] Verb

to demean (third-person singular simple present demeans, present participle demeaning, simple past and past participle demeaned)

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

[edit] Noun

demean (usually uncountable; plural demeans)

1. (archaic) Management; treatment.
2. (archaic) Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.

[edit] Related terms

• demeanor

[edit] Etymology 3

Var. of demesne.

[edit] Noun

demean (plural demeans)

1. demesne.
2. resources; means.

[edit] Anagrams

• Anagrams of adeemn
• amened
• meaned
• Medean