meanly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb in a nasty ill-tempered manner
    nastily.
    • `Don't expect me to help you,' he added nastily
  2. adverb in a despicable, ignoble manner
    scurvily; basely.
    • this new leader meanly threatens the deepest values of our society
  3. adverb poorly or in an inferior manner
    • troops meanly equipped
  4. adverb in a miserly manner
    humbly.
    • they lived meanly and without ostentation

WordNet

Mean"ly adverb
Etymology
Mean middle.
Definitions
  1. Moderately. Obs.
    A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.
Mean"ly adverb
Etymology
From Mean low.
Definitions
  1. In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously.
    While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. Milton.
    Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey ? Prior.
    We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I. Watts.

Webster 1913