\De*mean"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demeaned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Demeaning}.] [OF. demener to conduct, guide, manage, F.
se d['e]mener to struggle; pref. d['e]- (L. de) + mener to
lead, drive, carry on, conduct, fr. L. minare to drive
animals by threatening cries, fr. minari to threaten. See
{Menace}.]
1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.
         [Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
                                               --Milton.
2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed by the
   reflexive pronoun.
         They have demeaned themselves Like men born to
         renown by life or death.              --Shak.
         They answered . . . that they should demean
         themselves according to their instructions.
                                               --Clarendon.
3. To debase; to lower; to degrade; -- followed by the
   reflexive pronoun.
         Her son would demean himself by a marriage with an
         artist's daughter.                    --Thackeray.
Note: This sense is probably due to a false etymology which
      regarded the word as connected with the adjective mean.

\De*mean"\, n. [OF. demene. See {Demean}, v. t.]
1. Management; treatment. [Obs.]
         Vile demean and usage bad.            --Spenser.
2. Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor. [Obs.]
         With grave demean and solemn vanity.  --West.

\De*mean"\, n. [See {Demesne}.]
1. Demesne. [Obs.]
2. pl. Resources; means. [Obs.]
         You know How narrow our demeans are.  --Massinger.