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Demean - Dictionary

Demean

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/dɪˈmiːn/

Definitions

  • To cause someone to lose their dignity or respect.
  • To behave in a certain way, typically in a manner that brings dishonor.

Usage Examples

  • She refused to demean herself by begging for help.
  • The manager's harsh words served only to demean his employees.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English "demenen," meaning "to conduct oneself," which in turn comes from Old French "demener" (to guide, direct) and Latin "minare" (to lead).

Synonyms

Degrade, humiliate, belittle, abase, disgrace.

Antonyms

Honor, respect, elevate, dignify.

Translations

Language Translation Pronunciation
French Avilir [a-vee-leer]
Spanish Denigrar [de-nee-grar]
German Erniedrigen [er-nee-dree-gen]
Russian Унижать (Unizhat’) [oo-nee-zhat]
Hindi अपमानित करना (Apmanit Karna) [ap-maa-nit kar-na]
Chinese 贬低 (Biǎndī) [byan-dee]
Japanese 貶める (Otoshimeru) [o-to-shi-me-ru]

Regional Pronunciation Variations

  • American English: /dɪˈmiːn/
  • British English: /dɪˈmiːn/

Historical Usage

The word originally meant "to conduct oneself" in Middle English, but over time, its meaning shifted to imply lowering someone's dignity.

Cultural Nuances

The term is often used in discussions about social behavior, workplace dynamics, and personal dignity. In some cultures, demeaning actions are considered severe offenses.

More Information

The concept of demeaning others has been widely discussed in ethics and psychology, particularly in relation to power dynamics, self-worth, and respect in human interactions.

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