bemean
English edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
From Middle English bemenen, equivalent to be- + mean (“to signify”). Compare Middle High German bemeinen (“to mean”).
Alternative forms edit
Verb edit
bemean (third-person singular simple present bemeans, present participle bemeaning, simple past and past participle bemeant)
- (transitive, obsolete) To mean; signify; inform.
Etymology 2 edit
From be- + mean (“base, lowly”), from Middle English mene, aphetic variation of Middle English imene (“average, lowly, mean”), from Old English ġemǣne (“mean, common, average”). More at mean.
Verb edit
bemean (third-person singular simple present bemeans, present participle bemeaning, simple past and past participle bemeaned)
Usage notes edit
- Usually used reflexively, as in "to bemean oneself".