† demeann.

Forms: Also Middle English demene, 1500s demayne.

Etymology: < demean v.¹

Obsolete.

1. Bearing, behaviour, demeanour.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > demeanour or bearing

i-bereOE

i-letelOE

lundc1175

semblanta1240

countenancec1290

fare1297

porturec1300

bearinga1325

portc1330

abearc1350

demeaning14..

habit1413

apporta1423

havingsa1425

maintenance?c1436

demeanc1450

maintain?1473

deport1474

maintaining1477

demeanance1486

affair1487

containing1487

behaviour1490

representation1490

haviour?1504

demeanour1509

miena1522

function1578

amenance1590

comportance1590

portance1590

purport1590

manage1593

style1596

dispose1601

deportments1603

comportment1605

garb1605

aira1616

deportment1638

comport1660

tour1702

sway1753

disport1761

maintien1814

tenue1828

portment1833

allure1841

c1450 Crt. of Love 734 But somewhat strange and sad of her demene She is.

1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1292/2 For which demeane, besyde y^e sentence of deth condicionally pronounced..god..declared after certeyne other punishmentes.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ix. sig. V8^v Another Damsell..That was right fayre, and modest of demayne.

1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iii. iv. sig. F3 You Sewers, caruers, vshers of the Court Surnamed gentle, for your faire demeane.

1692 J. Salter Triumphs Jesus 2 She was a Virgin of severe demean.

1739 G. West Canto of Fairy Queen xlviii. 10 These she..would shew, With grave Demean and solemn Vanity.

2. Treatment (of others).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > behaviour towards another or treatment

entreatisea1513

treaturea1513

behaviour?1521

entreaty1525

entreating1529

entreatance1534

usage1536

entertainment1547

demeanour1548

tractation1548

treatingc1550

treatmentc1560

entreatment1563

demean1596

carriage1598

manage1608

measure1611

quarter1615

treaty1631

treatance1644

meanora1670

treat1671

comportment1697

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vi. sig.Dd7^v All the vile demeane, and vsage bad, With which he had those two so ill bestad.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

† demeanadj.

Etymology: apparently an extended form of mean adjective; perhaps from confusion of mesne, demesne.

Obsolete.

Of middle position, middle-class, middling.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > mediocrity > [adjective]

feeblec1275

demeanc1380

unnoblec1384

coarse1424

colourlessc1425

passable1489

meana1500

indifferent1532

plain1539

so-so1542

mediocre1586

ordinary1590

fameless1611

middling1652

middle-rate1658

ornery1692

so-soish1819

nohow1828

betwixt and between1832

indifferential1836

null1847

undazzling1855

deviceless1884

uncompetitive1885

tug1890

run of the mill1919

serviceable1920

dim1958

spammy1959

comme ci, comme ça1968

vanilla1972

meh2007

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 382 Y am her bote a demeyne kniȝt of þe realme of fraunce [orig. draft Y am her a meyne knyȝt].

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

demeanv.¹

/dɪˈmiːn/

Forms: Middle English demeyn(e, demein(e, Middle English–1500s demene, (Middle English demeene, dymene), Middle English–1500s (chiefly Scottish) demane, Middle English–1600s (chiefly Scottish) demayn(e, demain(e, Middle English demesne, Middle English–1600s demeane, 1500s demean.

Etymology: < Old French demener (in Ch. de Roland 11th cent.), also deminer , demaner , demoner (present tense il demeine , demaine ) to lead, exercise, practise, employ, treat, direct, etc., se demener to carry or conduct oneself, = Provençal demenar , Italian dimenare , a Romanic derivative of de- prefix + menare, French mener to lead, conduct, etc. < Latin mināre, originally (= minārī) to threaten, in post-classical Latin ‘to drive or conduct’ cattle, and, by transference, ships, men, etc. The demaine, demane forms, found chiefly in Scots, are perhaps derived from the Old French tonic form demeine, demaine. Demesne is taken over from the noun so spelt.

†1.

a. transitive. To conduct, carry on (a business, action, etc.); to manage, deal with, employ. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > conduct (an affair)

demeanc1315

to see for ——1405

to go in hand with (also to do something)c1450

treatc1450

behavea1529

ordera1535

handle1548

manage1579

to bear forth1631

conduct1632

c1315 Shoreham 167 Thaȝ hy[t] be thorȝ senne demeyned.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2196 Scheo..well couþe demeyne richeyse.

c1440 J. Lydgate Secrees 4 Alle his Empryses demenyd wern and lad By thavys..Of Arystotiles witt and providence.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 312 Cristis..abstenyng fro temporal vnmovable possessiouns lettith not preestis for to hem take..and weel demene into gode vsis.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos iv. 19 For to demeane this to effecte.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxxxv. 219 So often they went bytwene the parties, and so sagely demeaned their busynesse.

a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. xix. sig. M.iiii^v Euen for his riches alone, though he demeaned it neuer so wel.

1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 21 These vses being turned into estates shall be demeaned in all respects as estates in possession.

1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 31 As our obdurat Clergy have with violence demean'd the matter.

†b. To lead (one's life, days).

ΚΠ

1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) iv. ii. 59 How they demenen the dayes of theyr lyues.

†c. To express, exhibit (sorrow, joy, mirth, etc.). Obsolete (= Middle English lead in same sense.)[Cf. Cotgrave demener le dueil de, to lament, or mourne for; demener ioye, to rejoyce, make merrie, be glad.]

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest or exhibit (emotions) [verb (transitive)]

canOE

demeanc1400

pourc1451

expand1656

vend1682

demonstrate1800

emote1927

uncap1980

c1400 Rom. Rose 5238 For hert fulfilled of gentilnesse, Can yvel demene his distresse.

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 92 They began to crye and demene the gretteste sorow of the worlde.

1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) iv. 21 Suffryng theym to demayne theire rewthis and complayntes.

1564 N. Haward tr. Eutropius Briefe Chron. iii. sig. F.vii^v There was great myrth demeaned at Rome after theese newes.

1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) viii. f. 103 Then all the Hunters shouting out demeaned ioy inough.

1607 T. Heywood Woman Kilde with Kindnesse sig. H^v With what strange vertue he demeanes his griefe.

†d. To produce, or keep up (a sound). Obsolete. [So in Old French.]

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > thing heard > make sound [verb (transitive)]

stira1000

sendc1200

movea1382

raisec1400

demean1483

emit1826

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 407/2 The leuys of the trees demened a swete sounde whiche came by a wynde agreable.

†2. To handle, manipulate, manage (instruments, tools, weapons, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or control > [verb (transitive)]

wind993

wieldOE

aweldc1175

bewieldc1200

demeanc1300

use1340

plya1393

governc1405

exercite1475

apply1531

manage1590

sway1609

manipulate1834

wage1836

c1300 K. Alis. 663 The fyve him taught to skyrme and ride, And to demayne an horsis bride [= bridle].

c1325 Coer de L. 456 What knyght..coude best his crafte For to demene well his shafte.

c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 959 Lo, is it not a grete myschaunce To lat a fool han gouernaunce Of thing that he can not demeyne?

†3. To manage (a person, country, etc.); to direct, rule, govern, control. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > direct

rakeeOE

rule1340

demean?a1400

direct?1510

hold1577

mastermind1927

quarterback1943

?a1400 Morte Arth. 1988 The Kynge..Demenys the medylwarde menskfully hyme selfene.

c1440 Generydes 4622 I am your child, demeane me as ye list.

c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxl. ii [He gave] Ierusalem to Henry..With all Surry [= Syria], to haue and to demain.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xx. 396 The kyng..Wes enterit in the land of spanȝe, All haill the cuntre for till manȝe.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 44/1 To the ende that them selfe woulde alone, demeane and gouerne the king at their pleasure.

†4.

a. To deal with or treat (any one) in a specified way.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > follow (a course of behaviour) [verb (transitive)] > behave towards

ateec1000

leadc1175

makec1175

farec1230

beleadc1275

dightc1275

beseec1300

servec1300

treatc1374

usea1382

proceeda1393

demean1393

to deal witha1400

treatc1400

to do to ——a1425

entreat?a1425

handc1440

ferea1450

entertain1490

ray1509

to do unto ——?1523

tract1548

deal1573

to carry a strict (also severe, etc.) hand over (also upon, to)c1591

play1597

to comport with1675

to behave towards or to1754

usen1814

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 196 And thought he wolde upon the night Demene her at his owne wille.

c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 1582 Lord, demene me with mesuer!

1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 20 §1 Merchauntz denysyns..[shall] be well and honestely intreated and demeaned.

1595 E. Spenser Colin Clouts come Home Againe sig. D2 Cause haue I none..To quite them ill, that me demeand so well.

1682 London Gaz. No. 1682/1 The Lords Commissioners of Justiciary..Decerne and Adjudge the said Archibald Earl of Argile to be Execute to the Death, Demained as a Traitor, and to underly the pains of Treason.

1685 Argyll's Declar. in W. Crookshank Hist. Church Scotl. (1751) II. 316 (Jam.) Demeaning and executing them..as the most desperate traitors.

b. esp. (chiefly in Scottish writers) To treat badly, illtreat, maltreat. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > ill-treat [verb (transitive)]

tuckc888

tawc893

misbedeOE

graithc1330

to fare fair or foul with1340

misusea1382

outrayc1390

beshrewc1430

huspelc1440

misentreat1450

mistreat1453

abuse?1473

to mayne evil1481

demean1483

to put (a person) to villainya1513

harry1530

mishandle1530

touse1531

misorder1550

worrya1556

yark1565

mumble1588

buse1589

crow-tread1593

disabuse1607

maltreat1681

squeeze1691

ill-treat1794

punish1801

tousle1826

ill-use1841

razoo1890

mess1896

to play horse with1896

to bugger about1921

slug1925

to give (a person) the works1927

to kick about or around1938

mess1963

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 238/2 In the fornais of fyre of fayth he was destrayned, smeton, demened and beten [L. feriebatur and perducebatur].

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) xi. 616 Full dispitously Yar fayis demanyt yaim full starkly.

a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) ix. viii. 52 Sall I the se demanyt on syk wyss?

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ff That mighty man did her demeane With all the euill termes and cruell meane, That he could make.

a1651 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842–6) III. 69 Putt a barrell of powder under me, rather than I would be demained after this manner.

†5. To deal, distribute, hand over. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)]

britteneOE

to-dealeOE

dealOE

britOE

setc1275

dispensec1374

dispendc1375

to-seta1387

dispone1429

disposec1430

sparple1435

demean1439

distributea1464

distribue1477

issuec1484

communy1530

to deal out1535

impart1545

disperse1555

retail1576

digest1578

deliver1626

to hand out1648

to dispose of1676

dispensate1701

dole1701

to give out1710

sling1860

to give away1889

to pass out1926

dish1934

1439 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 114 The thirde parte to be demenyd and yoven..to pore peple.

a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) 461 In lieu of Cyprus, to demeane unto him certain Cities with a yearly allowance of corn.

a. reflexive. [ < 1] To behave, conduct or comport oneself (in a specified way). The only existing sense: cf. demeanour n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave or conduct oneself [verb (reflexive)]

wieldOE

leadc1175

bear?c1225

steera1250

to take onc1275

contain1297

to shift one's handa1300

demeanc1320

guyc1325

govern1340

keep1362

havec1390

rulec1390

guide14..

conceivea1425

maintain?a1425

maynea1425

behavec1440

disporta1450

orderc1487

use1497

handle?1529

convey1530

gesture1542

treat1568

carry1584

deport1598

bestow1606

comport1616

mienc1680

conduct1706

c1320 Sir Beues 3651 So Beues demeinede him þat dai.

1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1859) i. xv. 12 I haue none experyence of wysedom, how my selue to demene.

c1450 Crt. of Love 731 Demene you lich a maid With shamefast drede.

c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 557 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 312 Bot I lefit nocht þane myn syne, bot me demaynyt as I dyd are.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 511/1 I demeane, or behave my selfe..Je me porte..je me demayne.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 349 Your subiectes haue louyngly demeaned themselues vnto you.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 82 Now out of doubt Antipholus is mad, Else would he neuer so demeane himselfe.

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. i. 43 So well he demeaned himselfe in this businesse.

1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 31 We should..demean ourselves soberly and justly towards all.

1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 39 To demean himself like a Gentleman.

1821 R. Southey in Q. Rev. 25 305 No man who engaged in the rebellion demeaned himself throughout its course so honourably and so humanely.

1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. I. 109 The Prince Borghese certainly demeans himself like a kind and liberal gentleman.

b. figurative of things.

ΚΠ

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 150 b (margin) How will demeaneth itselfe passively and actively.

1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 4 To have a vigilant eye how Bookes demeane themselves as well as men.

1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circle Sci. Chem. 287 In many of its relations it [hydrogen] demeans itself so much like a metal, that [etc.].

†c. with an object equivalent to the reflexive pronoun. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

c1480 (a1400) Prol. 81 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 3 Hou scho demanyt hir flesche, til [= while] saule & body to-gydir ves.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3925 Troilus..demenyt well his maners & be mesure wroght.

1633 J. Ford Broken Heart i. ii. sig. B3 How doth the youthfull Generall demeane His actions in these fortunes?

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Pref. §12 That man demean and use his own body in that decorum which [etc.].

†d. absol. (Cf. behave v. 3) Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave, conduct, or bear oneself [verb (intransitive)]

i-bereeOE

workeOE

makeOE

fere1154

walka1200

steera1250

to take onc1275

fare1340

to fare with oneself1340

containa1375

to let latesa1400

usea1400

dealc1400

rulea1425

act1593

comport1616

carry1650

deport1667

demean1678

behave1721

conduct1754

to carry on1828

1678 tr. A. de Courtin Rules Civility (rev. ed.) Table of Contents How we are to demean at our Entrance into a Noblemans House.

1703 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 206 How to demean towards them, least there should be any alterations in their tempers.

†7. passive. To be behaved, to behave or conduct oneself: = 6. Obsolete. Cf. demeaned adj.

ΚΠ

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 229 I vald ga se..how my men demanit [1489 Adv. demanyt] are.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin v. 79 We pray yow to yeve vs counseile..how we myght beste be demened in this matere.

1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. H3^v It was assured (that being with loyaltie demeaned) you should at length receiue reward of..glory.

8. Apparently: to bear or have in mind; to remember. Obsolete (? Associated or confused with mean v.¹)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)]

i-mune971

to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in minda1200

withholdc1200

membera1382

treasure1382

demeanc1460

mindc1460

retain1474

keep1574

to take (a thing) with one1577

carry1583

weara1586

c1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1163 [A mershall] Whensoeuer youre sovereyn a feest make shall, demeene what estates shalle sitte in the hall.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cciii But it is to demeane and presuppose that the entent of hym was nat good.

?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. Bii^v Then take hede of grace & to wasshe so your selfe demene.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

demeanv.²

/dɪˈmiːn/

Etymology: < de- prefix 1a + mean adj.¹, probably after debase: compare also bemean v.³It has been suggested that this originated in a misconception of demean v.¹ in certain constructions, such as that of quot. 1596 at sense 4b, and a1616 at sense 6a (Johnson actually puts the latter quot. under the sense ‘debase’.) It is rare before 1700, and the only 17th cent. quots. (1601, 1659 below) are somewhat doubtful. Quot. 1740 at sense 2a shows how in certain contexts demean may be taken in either sense. See monograph on the word by Dr. Fitzedward Hall in Nation (N.Y.) , May 7, 1891.

1. transitive. To lower in condition, status, reputation or character.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > accord social rank to [verb (transitive)] > lower in status

demean1601

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade [verb (transitive)]

vile1297

supplanta1382

to bring lowa1387

revilea1393

gradea1400

villain1412

abject?a1439

to-gradea1440

vilifyc1450

villainy1483

disparage1496

degradea1500

deject?1521

disgraduate1528

disgress1528

regrade1534

base1538

diminute1575

lessen1579

to turn down1581

to pitch (a person) over the bar?1593

disesteem1594

degender1596

unnoble1598

disrank1599

reduce1599

couch1602

disthrone1603

displume1606

unplume1621

disnoble1622

disworth?1623

villainize1623

unglory1626

ungraduate1633

disennoble1645

vilicate1646

degraduate1649

bemean1651

deplume1651

lower1653

cheapen1654

dethrone1659

diminish1667

scoundrel1701

sink1706

demean1715

abjectate1731

unglorifya1740

unmagnify1747

undignify1768

to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819

dishero1838

misdemean1843

downgrade1892

demote1919

objectify1973

1601 R. Abbot Exalt. Kingdome of Christ i. 5 In his birth & life and death, far demeaned beneath all kingly state.

1715 J. Barker Exilius i. 59 By it [jealousy] we demean the Person we love through unworthy Suspicions.

1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. ii. 140 The Author [is] demean'd, if not actively and passively ridicul'd.

1738 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) I. 125 Without any way demeaning or aspersing poverty.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 132 There is an elbow-chair by the fireside which it would not demean his dignity to fill.

a. esp. reflexive. To lower or humble oneself.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > humility > self-abasement > humble oneself [verb (reflexive)]

meekc1175

humblec1380

meekenc1450

lowlyc1485

humiliate1533

abase1539

demean1659

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade oneself or stoop [verb (reflexive)]

unworshipc1380

vilifyc1450

familiarizea1586

unclass1657

demean1659

lower1666

1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 373 I incline rather to have Masters of Chancery attend you, and go on errands on both sides. It will cut off all debates about ceremonies, of your members going up and demeaning themselves, or of their demeaning themselves here.

1720 Lett. from Mist's Jrnl. (1722) I. 306 That Men of Honour and Estate should demean themselves by base condescension.

1740 P. Doddridge Family Expositor II. 425 It is a thousand times fitter, that I should wash thine [feet]; nor can I bear to see thee demean thyself thus.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xviii. 140 A woman is looked upon as demeaning herself, if she gains a maintenance by her needle.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) vi. 46 It was, of course, Mrs. Sedley's opinion that her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter.

1876 W. Black Madcap Violet xxix. 260 Could a girl so far demean herself as to ask for love?

b. Const. to or to do (what is beneath one).

ΚΠ

1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret ii. 42 Have I, sirrah, demean'd myself to wed such a thing, such a reptile as thee.

1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! I. 427 This lesser philosophy engagingly demeans itself to all characters and situations.

1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ii. 32 This woman's kin wouldn't like her to demean herself to a common carpenter.

1861 Sat. Rev. 30 Nov. 551 They would not demean themselves to submit to this sort of paltry tutelage.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

n.c1450

adj.c1380

v.¹c1300

v.²1601

单词	demean
释义	† demeann. Forms: Also Middle English demene, 1500s demayne. Etymology: < demean v.¹ Obsolete. 1. Bearing, behaviour, demeanour. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > demeanour or bearing i-bereOE i-letelOE lundc1175 semblanta1240 countenancec1290 fare1297 porturec1300 bearinga1325 portc1330 abearc1350 demeaning14.. habit1413 apporta1423 havingsa1425 maintenance?c1436 demeanc1450 maintain?1473 deport1474 maintaining1477 demeanance1486 affair1487 containing1487 behaviour1490 representation1490 haviour?1504 demeanour1509 miena1522 function1578 amenance1590 comportance1590 portance1590 purport1590 manage1593 style1596 dispose1601 deportments1603 comportment1605 garb1605 aira1616 deportment1638 comport1660 tour1702 sway1753 disport1761 maintien1814 tenue1828 portment1833 allure1841 c1450 Crt. of Love 734 But somewhat strange and sad of her demene She is. 1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1292/2 For which demeane, besyde y^e sentence of deth condicionally pronounced..god..declared after certeyne other punishmentes. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ix. sig. V8^v Another Damsell..That was right fayre, and modest of demayne. 1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iii. iv. sig. F3 You Sewers, caruers, vshers of the Court Surnamed gentle, for your faire demeane. 1692 J. Salter Triumphs Jesus 2 She was a Virgin of severe demean. 1739 G. West Canto of Fairy Queen xlviii. 10 These she..would shew, With grave Demean and solemn Vanity. 2. Treatment (of others). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > behaviour towards another or treatment entreatisea1513 treaturea1513 behaviour?1521 entreaty1525 entreating1529 entreatance1534 usage1536 entertainment1547 demeanour1548 tractation1548 treatingc1550 treatmentc1560 entreatment1563 demean1596 carriage1598 manage1608 measure1611 quarter1615 treaty1631 treatance1644 meanora1670 treat1671 comportment1697 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vi. sig.Dd7^v All the vile demeane, and vsage bad, With which he had those two so ill bestad. View more context for this quotation This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † demeanadj. Etymology: apparently an extended form of mean adjective; perhaps from confusion of mesne, demesne. Obsolete. Of middle position, middle-class, middling. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > mediocrity > [adjective] feeblec1275 demeanc1380 unnoblec1384 coarse1424 colourlessc1425 passable1489 meana1500 indifferent1532 plain1539 so-so1542 mediocre1586 ordinary1590 fameless1611 middling1652 middle-rate1658 ornery1692 so-soish1819 nohow1828 betwixt and between1832 indifferential1836 null1847 undazzling1855 deviceless1884 uncompetitive1885 tug1890 run of the mill1919 serviceable1920 dim1958 spammy1959 comme ci, comme ça1968 vanilla1972 meh2007 c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 382 Y am her bote a demeyne kniȝt of þe realme of fraunce [orig. draft Y am her a meyne knyȝt]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2021). demeanv.¹ /dɪˈmiːn/ Forms: Middle English demeyn(e, demein(e, Middle English–1500s demene, (Middle English demeene, dymene), Middle English–1500s (chiefly Scottish) demane, Middle English–1600s (chiefly Scottish) demayn(e, demain(e, Middle English demesne, Middle English–1600s demeane, 1500s demean. Etymology: < Old French demener (in Ch. de Roland 11th cent.), also deminer , demaner , demoner (present tense il demeine , demaine ) to lead, exercise, practise, employ, treat, direct, etc., se demener to carry or conduct oneself, = Provençal demenar , Italian dimenare , a Romanic derivative of de- prefix + menare, French mener to lead, conduct, etc. < Latin mināre, originally (= minārī) to threaten, in post-classical Latin ‘to drive or conduct’ cattle, and, by transference, ships, men, etc. The demaine, demane forms, found chiefly in Scots, are perhaps derived from the Old French tonic form demeine, demaine. Demesne is taken over from the noun so spelt. †1. a. transitive. To conduct, carry on (a business, action, etc.); to manage, deal with, employ. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > conduct (an affair) demeanc1315 to see for ——1405 to go in hand with (also to do something)c1450 treatc1450 behavea1529 ordera1535 handle1548 manage1579 to bear forth1631 conduct1632 c1315 Shoreham 167 Thaȝ hy[t] be thorȝ senne demeyned. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2196 Scheo..well couþe demeyne richeyse. c1440 J. Lydgate Secrees 4 Alle his Empryses demenyd wern and lad By thavys..Of Arystotiles witt and providence. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 312 Cristis..abstenyng fro temporal vnmovable possessiouns lettith not preestis for to hem take..and weel demene into gode vsis. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos iv. 19 For to demeane this to effecte. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxxxv. 219 So often they went bytwene the parties, and so sagely demeaned their busynesse. a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. xix. sig. M.iiii^v Euen for his riches alone, though he demeaned it neuer so wel. 1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 21 These vses being turned into estates shall be demeaned in all respects as estates in possession. 1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 31 As our obdurat Clergy have with violence demean'd the matter. †b. To lead (one's life, days). ΚΠ 1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) iv. ii. 59 How they demenen the dayes of theyr lyues. †c. To express, exhibit (sorrow, joy, mirth, etc.). Obsolete (= Middle English lead in same sense.)[Cf. Cotgrave demener le dueil de, to lament, or mourne for; demener ioye, to rejoyce, make merrie, be glad.] ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest or exhibit (emotions) [verb (transitive)] canOE demeanc1400 pourc1451 expand1656 vend1682 demonstrate1800 emote1927 uncap1980 c1400 Rom. Rose 5238 For hert fulfilled of gentilnesse, Can yvel demene his distresse. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 92 They began to crye and demene the gretteste sorow of the worlde. 1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) iv. 21 Suffryng theym to demayne theire rewthis and complayntes. 1564 N. Haward tr. Eutropius Briefe Chron. iii. sig. F.vii^v There was great myrth demeaned at Rome after theese newes. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) viii. f. 103 Then all the Hunters shouting out demeaned ioy inough. 1607 T. Heywood Woman Kilde with Kindnesse sig. H^v With what strange vertue he demeanes his griefe. †d. To produce, or keep up (a sound). Obsolete. [So in Old French.] ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > thing heard > make sound [verb (transitive)] stira1000 sendc1200 movea1382 raisec1400 demean1483 emit1826 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 407/2 The leuys of the trees demened a swete sounde whiche came by a wynde agreable. †2. To handle, manipulate, manage (instruments, tools, weapons, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or control > [verb (transitive)] wind993 wieldOE aweldc1175 bewieldc1200 demeanc1300 use1340 plya1393 governc1405 exercite1475 apply1531 manage1590 sway1609 manipulate1834 wage1836 c1300 K. Alis. 663 The fyve him taught to skyrme and ride, And to demayne an horsis bride [= bridle]. c1325 Coer de L. 456 What knyght..coude best his crafte For to demene well his shafte. c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 959 Lo, is it not a grete myschaunce To lat a fool han gouernaunce Of thing that he can not demeyne? †3. To manage (a person, country, etc.); to direct, rule, govern, control. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > direct rakeeOE rule1340 demean?a1400 direct?1510 hold1577 mastermind1927 quarterback1943 ?a1400 Morte Arth. 1988 The Kynge..Demenys the medylwarde menskfully hyme selfene. c1440 Generydes 4622 I am your child, demeane me as ye list. c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cxl. ii [He gave] Ierusalem to Henry..With all Surry [= Syria], to haue and to demain. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xx. 396 The kyng..Wes enterit in the land of spanȝe, All haill the cuntre for till manȝe. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 44/1 To the ende that them selfe woulde alone, demeane and gouerne the king at their pleasure. †4. a. To deal with or treat (any one) in a specified way. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > follow (a course of behaviour) [verb (transitive)] > behave towards ateec1000 leadc1175 makec1175 farec1230 beleadc1275 dightc1275 beseec1300 servec1300 treatc1374 usea1382 proceeda1393 demean1393 to deal witha1400 treatc1400 to do to ——a1425 entreat?a1425 handc1440 ferea1450 entertain1490 ray1509 to do unto ——?1523 tract1548 deal1573 to carry a strict (also severe, etc.) hand over (also upon, to)c1591 play1597 to comport with1675 to behave towards or to1754 usen1814 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 196 And thought he wolde upon the night Demene her at his owne wille. c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 1582 Lord, demene me with mesuer! 1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 20 §1 Merchauntz denysyns..[shall] be well and honestely intreated and demeaned. 1595 E. Spenser Colin Clouts come Home Againe sig. D2 Cause haue I none..To quite them ill, that me demeand so well. 1682 London Gaz. No. 1682/1 The Lords Commissioners of Justiciary..Decerne and Adjudge the said Archibald Earl of Argile to be Execute to the Death, Demained as a Traitor, and to underly the pains of Treason. 1685 Argyll's Declar. in W. Crookshank Hist. Church Scotl. (1751) II. 316 (Jam.) Demeaning and executing them..as the most desperate traitors. b. esp. (chiefly in Scottish writers) To treat badly, illtreat, maltreat. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > ill-treat [verb (transitive)] tuckc888 tawc893 misbedeOE graithc1330 to fare fair or foul with1340 misusea1382 outrayc1390 beshrewc1430 huspelc1440 misentreat1450 mistreat1453 abuse?1473 to mayne evil1481 demean1483 to put (a person) to villainya1513 harry1530 mishandle1530 touse1531 misorder1550 worrya1556 yark1565 mumble1588 buse1589 crow-tread1593 disabuse1607 maltreat1681 squeeze1691 ill-treat1794 punish1801 tousle1826 ill-use1841 razoo1890 mess1896 to play horse with1896 to bugger about1921 slug1925 to give (a person) the works1927 to kick about or around1938 mess1963 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 238/2 In the fornais of fyre of fayth he was destrayned, smeton, demened and beten [L. feriebatur and perducebatur]. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) xi. 616 Full dispitously Yar fayis demanyt yaim full starkly. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) ix. viii. 52 Sall I the se demanyt on syk wyss? 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ff That mighty man did her demeane With all the euill termes and cruell meane, That he could make. View more context for this quotation a1651 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842–6) III. 69 Putt a barrell of powder under me, rather than I would be demained after this manner. †5. To deal, distribute, hand over. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] britteneOE to-dealeOE dealOE britOE setc1275 dispensec1374 dispendc1375 to-seta1387 dispone1429 disposec1430 sparple1435 demean1439 distributea1464 distribue1477 issuec1484 communy1530 to deal out1535 impart1545 disperse1555 retail1576 digest1578 deliver1626 to hand out1648 to dispose of1676 dispensate1701 dole1701 to give out1710 sling1860 to give away1889 to pass out1926 dish1934 1439 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 114 The thirde parte to be demenyd and yoven..to pore peple. a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) 461 In lieu of Cyprus, to demeane unto him certain Cities with a yearly allowance of corn. 6. a. reflexive. [ < 1] To behave, conduct or comport oneself (in a specified way). The only existing sense: cf. demeanour n. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave or conduct oneself [verb (reflexive)] wieldOE leadc1175 bear?c1225 steera1250 to take onc1275 contain1297 to shift one's handa1300 demeanc1320 guyc1325 govern1340 keep1362 havec1390 rulec1390 guide14.. conceivea1425 maintain?a1425 maynea1425 behavec1440 disporta1450 orderc1487 use1497 handle?1529 convey1530 gesture1542 treat1568 carry1584 deport1598 bestow1606 comport1616 mienc1680 conduct1706 c1320 Sir Beues 3651 So Beues demeinede him þat dai. 1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1859) i. xv. 12 I haue none experyence of wysedom, how my selue to demene. c1450 Crt. of Love 731 Demene you lich a maid With shamefast drede. c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 557 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 312 Bot I lefit nocht þane myn syne, bot me demaynyt as I dyd are. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 511/1 I demeane, or behave my selfe..Je me porte..je me demayne. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 349 Your subiectes haue louyngly demeaned themselues vnto you. a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 82 Now out of doubt Antipholus is mad, Else would he neuer so demeane himselfe. View more context for this quotation 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. i. 43 So well he demeaned himselfe in this businesse. 1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 31 We should..demean ourselves soberly and justly towards all. 1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 39 To demean himself like a Gentleman. 1821 R. Southey in Q. Rev. 25 305 No man who engaged in the rebellion demeaned himself throughout its course so honourably and so humanely. 1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. I. 109 The Prince Borghese certainly demeans himself like a kind and liberal gentleman. b. figurative of things. ΚΠ 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 150 b (margin) How will demeaneth itselfe passively and actively. 1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 4 To have a vigilant eye how Bookes demeane themselves as well as men. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circle Sci. Chem. 287 In many of its relations it [hydrogen] demeans itself so much like a metal, that [etc.]. †c. with an object equivalent to the reflexive pronoun. Obsolete. ΚΠ c1480 (a1400) Prol. 81 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 3 Hou scho demanyt hir flesche, til [= while] saule & body to-gydir ves. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3925 Troilus..demenyt well his maners & be mesure wroght. 1633 J. Ford Broken Heart i. ii. sig. B3 How doth the youthfull Generall demeane His actions in these fortunes? 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Pref. §12 That man demean and use his own body in that decorum which [etc.]. †d. absol. (Cf. behave v. 3) Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave, conduct, or bear oneself [verb (intransitive)] i-bereeOE workeOE makeOE fere1154 walka1200 steera1250 to take onc1275 fare1340 to fare with oneself1340 containa1375 to let latesa1400 usea1400 dealc1400 rulea1425 act1593 comport1616 carry1650 deport1667 demean1678 behave1721 conduct1754 to carry on1828 1678 tr. A. de Courtin Rules Civility (rev. ed.) Table of Contents How we are to demean at our Entrance into a Noblemans House. 1703 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 206 How to demean towards them, least there should be any alterations in their tempers. †7. passive. To be behaved, to behave or conduct oneself: = 6. Obsolete. Cf. demeaned adj. ΚΠ 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 229 I vald ga se..how my men demanit [1489 Adv. demanyt] are. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin v. 79 We pray yow to yeve vs counseile..how we myght beste be demened in this matere. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. H3^v It was assured (that being with loyaltie demeaned) you should at length receiue reward of..glory. 8. Apparently: to bear or have in mind; to remember. Obsolete (? Associated or confused with mean v.¹) ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)] i-mune971 to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in minda1200 withholdc1200 membera1382 treasure1382 demeanc1460 mindc1460 retain1474 keep1574 to take (a thing) with one1577 carry1583 weara1586 c1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1163 [A mershall] Whensoeuer youre sovereyn a feest make shall, demeene what estates shalle sitte in the hall. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cciii But it is to demeane and presuppose that the entent of hym was nat good. ?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. Bii^v Then take hede of grace & to wasshe so your selfe demene. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022). demeanv.² /dɪˈmiːn/ Etymology: < de- prefix 1a + mean adj.¹, probably after debase: compare also bemean v.³It has been suggested that this originated in a misconception of demean v.¹ in certain constructions, such as that of quot. 1596 at sense 4b, and a1616 at sense 6a (Johnson actually puts the latter quot. under the sense ‘debase’.) It is rare before 1700, and the only 17th cent. quots. (1601, 1659 below) are somewhat doubtful. Quot. 1740 at sense 2a shows how in certain contexts demean may be taken in either sense. See monograph on the word by Dr. Fitzedward Hall in Nation (N.Y.) , May 7, 1891. 1. transitive. To lower in condition, status, reputation or character. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > accord social rank to [verb (transitive)] > lower in status demean1601 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade [verb (transitive)] vile1297 supplanta1382 to bring lowa1387 revilea1393 gradea1400 villain1412 abject?a1439 to-gradea1440 vilifyc1450 villainy1483 disparage1496 degradea1500 deject?1521 disgraduate1528 disgress1528 regrade1534 base1538 diminute1575 lessen1579 to turn down1581 to pitch (a person) over the bar?1593 disesteem1594 degender1596 unnoble1598 disrank1599 reduce1599 couch1602 disthrone1603 displume1606 unplume1621 disnoble1622 disworth?1623 villainize1623 unglory1626 ungraduate1633 disennoble1645 vilicate1646 degraduate1649 bemean1651 deplume1651 lower1653 cheapen1654 dethrone1659 diminish1667 scoundrel1701 sink1706 demean1715 abjectate1731 unglorifya1740 unmagnify1747 undignify1768 to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819 dishero1838 misdemean1843 downgrade1892 demote1919 objectify1973 1601 R. Abbot Exalt. Kingdome of Christ i. 5 In his birth & life and death, far demeaned beneath all kingly state. 1715 J. Barker Exilius i. 59 By it [jealousy] we demean the Person we love through unworthy Suspicions. 1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. ii. 140 The Author [is] demean'd, if not actively and passively ridicul'd. 1738 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) I. 125 Without any way demeaning or aspersing poverty. 1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 132 There is an elbow-chair by the fireside which it would not demean his dignity to fill. 2. a. esp. reflexive. To lower or humble oneself. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > humility > self-abasement > humble oneself [verb (reflexive)] meekc1175 humblec1380 meekenc1450 lowlyc1485 humiliate1533 abase1539 demean1659 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade oneself or stoop [verb (reflexive)] unworshipc1380 vilifyc1450 familiarizea1586 unclass1657 demean1659 lower1666 1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 373 I incline rather to have Masters of Chancery attend you, and go on errands on both sides. It will cut off all debates about ceremonies, of your members going up and demeaning themselves, or of their demeaning themselves here. 1720 Lett. from Mist's Jrnl. (1722) I. 306 That Men of Honour and Estate should demean themselves by base condescension. 1740 P. Doddridge Family Expositor II. 425 It is a thousand times fitter, that I should wash thine [feet]; nor can I bear to see thee demean thyself thus. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison IV. xviii. 140 A woman is looked upon as demeaning herself, if she gains a maintenance by her needle. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) vi. 46 It was, of course, Mrs. Sedley's opinion that her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter. 1876 W. Black Madcap Violet xxix. 260 Could a girl so far demean herself as to ask for love? b. Const. to or to do (what is beneath one). ΚΠ 1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret ii. 42 Have I, sirrah, demean'd myself to wed such a thing, such a reptile as thee. 1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! I. 427 This lesser philosophy engagingly demeans itself to all characters and situations. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ii. 32 This woman's kin wouldn't like her to demean herself to a common carpenter. 1861 Sat. Rev. 30 Nov. 551 They would not demean themselves to submit to this sort of paltry tutelage. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.c1450adj.c1380v.¹c1300v.²1601
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† demeann.

† demeanadj.

demeanv.1

demeanv.2

demeanv.¹

demeanv.²