Demean
[dɪ'miːn]
Definition
(v. t.) To manage; to conduct; to treat.
(v. t.) To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed by the reflexive pronoun.
(v. t.) To debase; to lower; to degrade; -- followed by the reflexive pronoun.
(v. t.) Management; treatment.
(v. t.) Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
(n.) Demesne.
(n.) Resources; means.
Checked by Leda
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See BEHAVE_and_CONDESCEND]
Checker: Wilbur
Definition
v.t. to conduct (with self): to behave.—n. Demeanour conduct—(Spens.) Demayne Demeasnure.
v.t. to make mean: to lower.
Typed by Audrey
Examples
- Think you that a thern would demean himself by labour? Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- He hesitated whether to address the King as the Black Knight-errant, or in what other manner to demean himself towards him. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I know there's one thing vulgar about money, and that's the thinking about it; and my wife would never have to demean herself in that way. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- It was, of course, Mrs. Sedley's opinion that her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I argued that if I had been rude, apologies was due, and those apologies without a question of demeaning, I did make. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- A narrow life in Budmouth might have completely demeaned her. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- During this performance, the hermit demeaned himself much like a first-rate critic of the present day at a new opera. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- For long intervals I forgot to look how he demeaned himself, or to question what he thought. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Sir, she demeaned herself with distinction; and I heard the French gentlemen say she was 'pétrie d'esprit et de graces. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Checker: Scott