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Webster 1913 Edition


Meanness

Mean′ness

,
Noun.
1.
The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess.
This figure is of a later date, by the
meanness
of the workmanship.
Addison.
2.
A mean act;
as, to be guilty of
meanness
.
Goldsmith.

Webster 1828 Edition


Meanness

ME'ANNESS

,
Noun.
Want of dignity or rank; low state; as meanness of birth or condition. Poverty is not always meanness; it may be connected with it, but men of dignified minds and manners are often poor.
1.
Want of excellence of any kind; poorness; rudeness.
This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship.
2.
Lowness of mind; want of dignity and elevation; want of honor. Meanness in men incurs contempt. All dishonesty is meanness.
3.
Sordidness; niggardliness; opposed to liberality or charitableness. Meanness is very different from frugality.
4.
Want of richness; poorness; as the meanness of dress or equipage.

Definition 2024


meanness

meanness

English

Alternative forms

Noun

meanness (countable and uncountable, plural meannesses)

  1. (uncountable) The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess.
    This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship. Addison
  2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of a meanness.

Antonyms

Translations

References

  • meanness in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913