The Word of the Day for February 21 is:
demean \dih-MEEN\ (verb)
: to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner
Example sentence:
"It shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with
grateful respect towards her Ladyship." (Jane Austen, _Pride
and Prejudice_)
Did you know?
There are two words spelled "demean" in English. The more
familiar "demean" -- "to lower in character, status, or
reputation" -- comes straight from "mean," the adjective that
means "spiteful." Today's featured word, on the other hand,
comes from the Middle French verb "demener" ("to conduct"),
which in turn comes from Latin "minare," meaning "to drive."
This verb has been with us since the 14th century and is
generally used in contexts specifying a type of behavior: "he
demeaned himself in a most unfriendly manner"; "she demeaned
herself as befitting her station in life"; "they knew not how
to demean themselves in the king's presence." As you may have
already guessed, the noun "demeanor," meaning "behavior,"
comes from this "demean."
