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 C[ae]sar found Our
fathers no mean foes. --J. Philips.
4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean
hospitality.
Note: 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}.