to lower (oneself) in dignity, status, or character; humble; debase
Word origin
C17: see de-, mean2; on the model of debase
bemean in American English
(bɪˈmin)
transitive verbWord forms: -meaned, -meaning
archaic
to make mean; demean; debase (usually used reflexively)
Word origin
[1645–55; be- + mean2]This word is first recorded in the period 1645–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: complex, elastic, halftone, simmer, soup