[f. BE- pref. 5 + MEAN a.] trans. To render mean or base, to lower in dignity, abase. (In first quot. for demean = ‘behave.’]
1651. Gataker, Ridley, in Fuller, Abel. Rediv., 193. How he bemeaned himselfe, shall hereafter be related.
1688. Rokeby, Diary (1858), 29. Foolish frothy things, that bemean it [my memory] before the Lord.
1774. Dibdin, Waterman, II. i. You have been coaxing and wheedling her to marry that low, dirty——I won’t bemean myself by repeating his filthy name.
1866. Reade, Griffith Gaunt, II. 92. Oh, husband, how can you so bemean yourself?
Bemean v.4, bemene; see BEMOAN.
