mean

a man of mean parentage / a mean abode

a mean appearance / mean dress

a mean motive

The Roman legions and great Caesar found / Our fathers no mean foes.

He's so mean. I've never seen him spend so much as five pounds on presents for his children.

The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.

Watch out for her, she's mean. I said good morning to her, and she punched me in the nose.

It must have been a mean typhoon that levelled this town.

Your mother can roll a mean cigarette.

This problem is mean!