Definition of demean

< deme

demean >

de·mean¹    (d-mn) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
de·meaned, de·mean·ing, de·means

To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: demeaned themselves well in class.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English demeinen, to govern, from Old French demener : de-, de- + mener, to conduct (from Latin minre, to drive (animals), from minr, to threaten, from minae, threats; see men-² in Indo-European roots)