Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mean \Mean\, a. [Compar. {Meaner}; superl. {Meanest}.] [OE.
   mene, AS. m?ne wicked; akin to m[=a]n, a., wicked, n.,
   wickedness, OS. m?n wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid
   perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gem?ne
   common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gam['a]ins, and
   L. communis. The AS. gem?ne 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 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}.