- Mean
- 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 C[ae]sar 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
