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
CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?
Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!
Question 1 of 11
“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.
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. 2020
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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012