I. də̇ˈmēn, dēˈ- transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English demenen, from Old French demener to conduct, guide, treat, from de- + mener to lead, drive, from Latin minare to drive (animals), from minari to threaten — more at mount
1. obsolete : manage : carry on : deal with
2. : to conduct or behave (oneself)
he might have been observed to demean himself as a person with nothing to do — Henry James †1916
3. now dialect : maltreat
Synonyms: see behave
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English demene, from demenen, v.
: behavior , mien
III.
or demeane
obsolete
variant of demesne
IV. də̇ˈmēn, dēˈ- transitive verb
Etymology: de- + mean (adjective)
: to lower in status, condition, reputation, or character : degrade , debase
her son would demean himself by a marriage with an artist's daughter — W.M.Thackeray
demeaned his position by bullying and browbeating officers of the army — New York Times