bemean
English
editPronunciation
editEtymology 1
editFrom Middle English bemenen, equivalent to be- + mean (“to signify”). Compare Middle High German bemeinen (“to mean”).
Alternative forms
editVerb
editbemean (third-person singular simple present bemeans, present participle bemeaning, simple past and past participle bemeant)
- (transitive, obsolete) To mean; signify; inform.
Etymology 2
editFrom 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
editbemean (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".
Synonyms
editAnagrams
editCategories:
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/iːn
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms prefixed with be-
- English lemmas
- English verbs
- English transitive verbs
- English terms with obsolete senses
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms with quotations