Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Demean \De*mean"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demeaned}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Demeaning}.] [OF. demener to conduct, guide, manage, F.
   se d['e]mener to struggle; pref. d['e]- (L. de) + mener to
   lead, drive, carry on, conduct, fr. L. minare to drive
   animals by threatening cries, fr. minari to threaten. See
   {Menace}.]
   1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.

            [Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed by the
      reflexive pronoun.

            They have demeaned themselves Like men born to
            renown by life or death.              --Shak.

            They answered . . . that they should demean
            themselves according to their instructions.
                                                  --Clarendon.

Source : WordNet®

demeaning
     adj : causing awareness of your shortcomings; "golf is a humbling
           game" [syn: {humbling}, {humiliating}, {mortifying}]