Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner.
  • transitive verb To lower in status or character; degrade or humble: synonym: debase.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English demeinen, to govern, from Old French demener : de-, de- + mener, to conduct (from Latin mināre, to drive (animals), from minārī, to threaten, from minae, threats; see men- in Indo-European roots).]

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[de– + mean.]

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Examples

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