Demeener

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The way a person outwardly presents themselves through their attitude, expression, and behavior toward others
2. The visible conduct, bearing, and general manner by which someone shows their character or mood to those around them
3. Outward appearance of temperament and conduct that a person displays in their dealings with other people

Etymology: The noun began with a sense of managing affairs. In Anglo-French and Old French, "demener" meant "to lead, conduct, or manage," built from "de-" and "mener," "to lead," which comes from Latin "minare," "to drive animals." So to demean something once meant to handle or direct it, and a person's demeanour was originally how they conducted their business or themselves, not the expression on their face. The outward-bearing sense is the one that took hold in English. Its base, "mener," also gave English "mien," though the two words' exact connection is debated. The related verb "demean" split into two senses: "to conduct oneself," which is the older use, and "to lower in dignity," a later use that is probably influenced by the adjective "mean" in the sense of "base."