mense

[ mens ]

noun

1. propriety; discretion.

verb (used with object)

, mensed, mens·ing.

1. to adorn; bring honor to; grace.

Other Words From

• menseful adjective
• menseless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mense¹

1490–1500; variant (north) of mensk, Middle English menske courtesy, honor < Old Norse menska humanity, cognate with Old English menniscu literally, the human state; akin to mensch. See man, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

(from whose work I take the extract), the following passage occurs, under the head "Mense Januario."

From Project Gutenberg

Anno sue salutifere incarnationis millesimo ducetesimo octuagesimo nono, indictione secunda, die sexto intrante mense augusti.

From Project Gutenberg

In October, 1181, three Consuls preside "super facto iustitiae, nominatim in mense octobris."

From Project Gutenberg

In Mense's Handbuch der Tropenkrankheiten, i, p. 263-283, pls.

From Project Gutenberg

An idle taistrill is t' sparrow, wi' nowther sense nor mense in his head.

From Project Gutenberg