meanly

English

Etymology

From Middle English meneli, meneliche, equivalent to mean + -ly.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmiːnli/

Adverb

meanly (comparative meanlier or more meanly, superlative meanliest or most meanly)

  1. Humbly, of or from low social status; basely. [from 16th c.]
    • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: [], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, partition II, section 3, member 2:
      Iphicrates and Marius were meanly born.
  2. Poorly or inadequately. [from 16th c.]
  3. In a mean manner; ill-willed, nastily. [from 17th c.]
    He meanly refused to ever make a charitable donation.

Anagrams

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