Mean (mēn), a. [Compar.Meaner (mēn″ẽr); superl.Meanest.] [OE. mene, AS. mǣne wicked; akin to mān, a., wicked, n., wickedness, OS. mēn wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gemǣne common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gamáins, and L. communis. The AS. gemǣne prob. influenced the meaning.]
1. Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble. “Of mean parentage.” Sir P. Sidney.
The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself. Is. ii. 9.
2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove,
To save my life by changing of my love? Dryden.
3. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
The Roman legions and great Cæsar found
Our fathers no mean foes. J. Philips.
4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.
☞ Mean is sometimes used in the formation of compounds, the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as, meanborn, mean-looking, etc.
Syn. — Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched; degraded; degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless; groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful; despicable; contemptible; paltry; sordid. See Base.