demean
1[ dih-meen ]
/ dɪˈmin /
verb (used with object)
to lower in dignity, honor, or standing; debase: He demeaned himself by accepting the bribe.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Words nearby demean
demassify, dematerialize, dematiaceous, Demavend, deme, demean, demeaning, demeanor, demeanour, demeclocycline, dement
Definition for demean (2 of 2)
demean2
[ dih-meen ]
/ dɪˈmin /
verb (used with object)
to conduct or behave (oneself) in a specified manner.
noun
Archaic. demeanor.
Origin of demean
21250–1300; Middle English deme(i)nen<Anglo-French, Old French demener, equivalent to de-de- + mener to lead, conduct <Latin mināre to drive, minārī to threaten
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for demean
British Dictionary definitions for demean (1 of 2)
demean1
/ (dɪˈmiːn) /
verb
(tr) to lower (oneself) in dignity, status, or character; humble; debase
Word Origin for demean
C17: see de-, mean ²; on the model of debase
British Dictionary definitions for demean (2 of 2)
demean2
/ (dɪˈmiːn) /
verb
(tr) rare to behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified way
Word Origin for demean
C13: from Old French demener, from de- + mener to lead, drive, from Latin mināre to drive (animals), from minārī to use threats
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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