First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1demean
verb de·mean \di-ˈmēn\
de·meanedde·mean·ing
Definition of DEMEAN
transitive verb
: to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner
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Origin of DEMEAN
Middle English demenen, from Anglo-French demener to conduct, from de- + mener to lead, from Latin minare to drive, from minari to threaten — more at mount
Rhymes with DEMEAN
Andine, arene, baleen, beguine, Benin, benzene, benzine, Bernstein, between, black bean, boreen, bovine, broad bean, buckbean, caffeine, canteen, carbine, careen, chlorine, chopine, chorine, citrine, codeine, colleen, convene, cotquean, cuisine, dasheen, dauphine, demesne, dry-clean, dudeen, eighteen, Essene, e-zine, fanzine, fascine, fifteen, flavine, fluorine, fourteen, gamine, gangrene, glassine, gyrene, Hellene, hoatzin, horsebean, houseclean, khamsin, Ladin, lateen, latrine, Lublin, machine, malines, marine, moline, moreen, morphine, nankeen, naphthene, Nicene, nineteen, nongreen, obscene, offscreen, on-screen, patine, piscine, poteen, praline, preteen, pristine, propine, Rabin, ratteen, ravine, red bean, routine, saline, saltine, Salween, sardine, sateen, scalene, serene, shagreen, shebeen, siren, Sistine, sixteen, Slovene, snap bean, soybean, spalpeen, string bean, strychnine, subteen, sunscreen, Szczecin, tacrine, takin, taurine, terrene, terrine, thirteen, Tolkien, tontine, tureen, umpteen, unclean, undine, unseen, vaccine, vitrine, wax bean, white bean, windscreen, yestreen, Yibin, zechin
2demean
verb
de·meanedde·mean·ing
Definition of DEMEAN
transitive verb
: to lower in character, status, or reputation
Origin of DEMEAN
de- + 1mean
First Known Use: 1601
DEMEAN[1] Defined for Kids
1demean
verb de·mean \di-ˈmēn\
de·meanedde·mean·ing
Definition of DEMEAN for Kids
: behave 2 <He demeaned himself like a gentleman.>
2demean
verb
de·meanedde·mean·ing
Definition of DEMEAN for Kids
: to lower in character or dignity <She feels that such work demeans her.>
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