Yes

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Yes Written by Rachel G (10/3/2011 2:52 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, "demean themselves", penned by Lia

That was exactly my reaction too.

The Shorter OED (1969) gives 1601 for the earliest known occurrence of the pejorative, debasing sense of 'demean'. However, this sense of the word is absent from early editions of Johnson's Dictionary (1756-1820), and first appears in the 1828 edition.

So it seems that the sense in which we now use demean had been around for a long time but was not in general use until after JA's era.

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The Baronetage Cheryl (10/2/2011 10:44 p.m.)

Some thoughts on being in the 'Book of Books' Barbara (10/3/2011 1:36 a.m.)
- Thanks for sharing this Barbara! (:D) nfm Robbin (10/3/2011 3:13 a.m.)
- Very cool, Barbara! Cheryl (10/3/2011 12:21 p.m.)
  - I did find it there Barbara (10/3/2011 2:20 p.m.)
    - Very cool - again! ;-) (nfm) Cheryl (10/3/2011 2:57 p.m.)
- Interesting BarbaraB (10/3/2011 1:37 p.m.)
- How cool! nfm Erica (10/10/2011 8:36 a.m.)
Something I find rather amusing Erica M. (10/3/2011 10:36 a.m.)
- exertions of loyalty Stephanie (10/3/2011 11:22 a.m.)
Sir Walter's Baronetage Rachel G (10/3/2011 12:21 p.m.)
- "demean themselves" Lia (10/3/2011 12:53 p.m.)
  - Yes Rachel G (10/3/2011 2:52 p.m.)
    - Interesting... Lia (10/4/2011 7:50 p.m.)
    - I found it as far as the 1792 edition Graciela (10/4/2011 11:49 p.m.)
      - Good catch! ;-D nfm Rachel G (10/5/2011 3:39 a.m.)
      - Another example of words diverging -- gianni (10/5/2011 10:26 p.m.)

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