Meaner

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mean \Mean\ (m[=e]n), a. [Compar. {Meaner} (m[=e]n"[~e]r);
     superl. {Meanest}.] [OE. mene, AS. m[=ae]ne wicked; akin to
     m[=a]n, a., wicked, n., wickedness, OS. m[=e]n wickedness,
     OHG. mein, G. meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and
     perh. to AS. gem[=ae]ne common, general, D. gemeen, G.
     gemein, Goth. gam['a]ins, and L. communis. The AS. gem[=ae]ne


     prob. influenced the meaning.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar;
        humble. "Of mean parentage." --Sir P. Sidney.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth
              himself.                              --Is. ii. 9.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of
        honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Can you imagine I so mean could prove,
              To save my life by changing of my love ? --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard;
        contemptible; despicable.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The Roman legions and great Caesar found
              Our fathers no mean foes.             --J. Philips.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean
        hospitality.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Mean is sometimes used in the formation of compounds,
           the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as,
           meanborn, mean-looking, etc.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched; degraded;
          degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless;
          groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful;
          despicable; contemptible; paltry; sordid. See {Base}.
          [1913 Webster]