ME'ANNESS, n. 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.
