What does bemean mean?
Bemean is a relatively rare English verb meaning to lower someone or something in dignity, rank, or estimation — essentially to degrade or debase. A politician might bemean his office through corruption, or a proud person might refuse to bemean herself by begging for favors. The word is built from the prefix 'be-' attached to 'mean', the same root that gives us 'meanness' in the sense of lowliness rather than stinginess. Historically, bemean had another life: used reflexively, it meant to conduct or behave oneself, so phrases like 'bemean yourself well' appear in older English literature. Today that usage is archaic, and even the degrading sense has largely been displaced by its more common synonym 'demean'. Bemean survives mainly in formal writing and historical texts, where its slightly old-fashioned ring lends gravity to expressions of disgrace or self-abasement.
To lower someone or something in dignity, rank, or estimation; to degrade or debase.
"No honest critic would bemean another writer merely out of envy."
Now rare; 'demean' is the standard choice in modern usage.
(Archaic, reflexive) To conduct or comport oneself.
"She promised her father she would bemean herself with modesty at court."
Chiefly found in literature from earlier centuries.
'Bemean' once meant simply 'to behave' — as in 'bemean yourself well' — before settling into its modern role as 'demean's' less famous cousin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bemean
Bemean was formed in English from the prefix 'be-', meaning to make or cause to be, combined with 'mean', in its original sense of common, lowly, or inferior (from Old French 'meien', ultimately from Latin 'medianus' or 'medius', 'middle'). It arose in Middle or early Modern English with the sense of making something lowly. The reflexive sense of conducting oneself developed from the idea of one's behavior being one's 'manner' or 'mean' of bearing. Its close relative 'demean' shares this history, deriving from the Anglo-French noun 'demeine' (conduct, bearing).
How bemean is actually used
Rare in contemporary usage; most writers reach for 'demean' instead. The reflexive sense ('to bemean oneself') survives chiefly in older literature. The word carries a strongly negative connotation of lowering status or dignity.
Easily confused with bemean
Demean is the far more common verb meaning to lower in dignity, whereas bemean is rarer and additionally carries an older sense of conducting oneself.