Means definition | Dictionary.com

mean

3 [meen]

–noun

1.	Usually, means. (used with a singular or plural verb) an agency, instrument, or method used to attain an end: The telephone is a means of communication. There are several means of solving the problem.

means,

a.	available resources, esp. money: They lived beyond their means.

b.	considerable financial resources; riches: a man of means.

3.	something that is midway between two extremes; something intermediate: to seek a mean between cynicism and blind faith.

Mathematics.

a.	a quantity having a value intermediate between the values of other quantities; an average, esp. the arithmetic mean.

b.	either the second or third term in a proportion of four terms.

5.	Statistics. expected value. mathematical expectation (def. 2).

6.	Logic. the middle term in a syllogism.

–adjective

7.	occupying a middle position or an intermediate place, as in kind, quality, degree, or time: a mean speed; a mean course; the mean annual rainfall.

—Idioms

by all means,

a.	(in emphasis) certainly: Go, by all means.

b.	at any cost; without fail.

9.	by any means, in any way; at all: We were not surprised at the news by any means.

10.	by means of, with the help of; by the agency of; through: We crossed the stream by means of a log.

11.	by no means, in no way; not at all: The prize is by no means certain.

Origin:
1300–50; ME mene < MF meen, var. of meien < L mediānus; see median

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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mean¹   (mēn) Pronunciation Key
v.   meant (měnt), mean·ing, means

v.   tr.

1. To be used to convey; denote: "'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things'" (Lewis Carroll).
2. To act as a symbol of; signify or represent: In this poem, the budding flower means youth.
To intend to convey or indicate: "No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous" (Henry Adams).
To have as a purpose or an intention; intend: I meant to go running this morning, but I overslept.
To design, intend, or destine for a certain purpose or end: a building that was meant for storage; a student who was meant to be a scientist.
To have as a consequence; bring about: Friction means heat.
To have the importance or value of: The opinions of the critics meant nothing to him. She meant so much to me.

v. intr.
To have intentions of a specified kind; be disposed: They mean well but lack tact.

[Middle English menen, from Old English mǣnan, to tell of; see mei-no- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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mean³ (mēn) Pronunciation Key
n.

Something having a position, quality, or condition midway between extremes; a medium.
Mathematics
1. A number that typifies a set of numbers, such as a geometric mean or an arithmetic mean.
2. The average value of a set of numbers.
3. Money, property, or other wealth: You ought to live within your means.
4. Great wealth: a woman of means.
Logic The middle term in a syllogism.
means (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved.
means (used with a pl. verb)
1. Money, property, or other wealth: You ought to live within your means.
2. Great wealth: a woman of means.

adj.

Occupying a middle or intermediate position between two extremes.
Intermediate in size, extent, quality, time, or degree; medium.

[Middle English mene, middle, from Old French meien, from Latin mediānus, from medius; see medhyo- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: In the sense of "financial resources" means takes a plural verb: His means are more than adequate. In the sense of "a way to an end," means may be treated as either a singular or plural. It is singular when referring to a particular strategy or method: The best means of securing the cooperation of the builders is to appeal to their self-interest. It is plural when it refers to a group of strategies or methods: The most effective means for dealing with the drug problem have generally been those suggested by the affected communities. · Means is most often followed by of: a means of noise reduction. But for, to, and toward are also used: a means for transmitting sound; a means to an end; a means toward achieving equality.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

means
noun
1.	how a result is obtained or an end is achieved; "a means of control"; "an example is the best agency of instruction"; "the true way to success"
2.	an instrumentality for accomplishing some end
3.	considerable capital (wealth or income); "he is a man of means"

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

means

see beyond one's means; by all means; by any means; by means of; by no means; end justifies the means.

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mean (mēn) Pronunciation Key

A number or quantity having a value that is intermediate between other numbers or quantities, especially an arithmetic mean or average. See more at arithmetic mean.
Either the second or third term of a proportion of four terms. In the proportion ²/₃ = ⁴/₆ , the means are 3 and 4. Compare extreme.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: means
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
1 a : something enabling one to achieve a desired end means of self-defense> b : CAUSE 1
2 : resources (as income and assets) at one's disposal

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