mean·ness I. \ˈmēnnə̇s\noun (-es) Etymology:mean (I) + -ness 1.: the quality or state of being mean (as in exhibiting baseness or stinginess) 2.: a mean act < descend to the meannesses of frightening children and old women — Daniel Defoe > II. noun (-es) Etymology:mean (VII) + -ness : the quality or state of being or constituting a mean between two extremes