means
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Related to means: means test, Means to an End
mean 1
(mēn)v. meant (mĕnt), mean·ing, means
v.tr.
1.
a. To be used to convey; denote: "'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things'" (Lewis Carroll).
b. To act as a symbol of; signify or represent: In this poem, the budding flower means youth.
2. 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).
3. To have as a purpose or an intention; intend: I meant to go running this morning, but I overslept.
4. 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.
5. To have as a consequence; bring about: Friction means heat.
6. To have the importance or value of: The opinions of the critics meant nothing to him. She meant so much to me.
v.intr.
Idiom: To have intentions of a specified kind; be disposed: They mean well but lack tact.
mean business Informal
To be in earnest.
mean 2
(mēn)adj. mean·er, mean·est
1.
a. Lacking in kindness; unkind: The teacher was not being mean in asking you to be quiet.
b. Cruel, spiteful, or malicious: a mean boy who liked to make fun of others.
c. Expressing spite or malice: gave me a mean look.
d. Tending toward or characterized by cruelty or violence: mean streets.
e. Extremely unpleasant or disagreeable: the meanest storm in years.
2. Ignoble; base: a mean motive. See Synonyms at base2.
3. Miserly; stingy: mean with money.
4.
a. Low in value, rank, or social status: "I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own" (Frederick Douglass).
b. Common or poor in appearance; shabby: "The rowhouses had been darkened by the rain and looked meaner and grimmer than ever" (Anne Tyler).
5. Slang
a. Hard to cope with; difficult or troublesome: He throws a mean fast ball.
b. Excellent; skillful: She plays a mean game of bridge.
mean′ness n.
mean 3
(mēn)n.
1. Something having a position, quality, or condition midway between extremes; a medium.
2. Mathematics
a. A number that typifies a set of numbers, such as a geometric mean or an arithmetic mean.
b. The average value of a set of numbers.
3. Logic The middle term in a syllogism.
4. 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.
5. means(used with a pl. verb)
a. Money, property, or other wealth: You ought to live within your means.
b. Great wealth: a woman of means.
adj.
Idioms: 1. Occupying a middle or intermediate position between two extremes.
2. Intermediate in size, extent, quality, time, or degree; medium.
by all means
Without fail; certainly.
by any means
In any way possible; to any extent: not by any means an easy opponent.
by means of
With the use of; owing to: They succeeded by means of patience and sacrifice.
by no means
In no sense; certainly not: This remark by no means should be taken lightly.
[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 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 often 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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
means
(miːnz)n
1. (functioning as singular or plural) the medium, method, or instrument used to obtain a result or achieve an end: a means of communication.
2. (functioning as plural) resources or income
3. (functioning as plural) considerable wealth or income: a man of means.
4. by all means without hesitation or doubt; certainly: come with us by all means.
5. by means of with the use or help of
6. by no manner of means definitely not: he was by no manner of means a cruel man.
7. by no means not by any means on no account; in no way: by no means come!.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | means - 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" effectuation, implementation - the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect dint - interchangeable with `means' in the expression `by means of' escape - a means or way of escaping; "hard work was his escape from worry"; "they installed a second hatch as an escape"; "their escape route" fast track - a rapid means of achieving a goal; "they saw independence as the fast track to democracy"; "he took a fast track to the top of the corporate ladder"; "the company went off the fast track when the stock market dropped" instrument, tool - the means whereby some act is accomplished; "my greed was the instrument of my destruction"; "science has given us new tools to fight disease" road - a way or means to achieve something; "the road to fame" stepping stone - any means of advancement; "the job was just a stepping stone on his way to fame and riches" expedient - a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one desperate measure - desperate actions taken as a means to an end; "he had to resort to desperate measures" open sesame - any very successful means of achieving a result salvation - a means of preserving from harm or unpleasantness; "tourism was their economic salvation"; "they turned to individualism as their salvation" tooth - a means of enforcement; "the treaty had no teeth in it" voice - a means or agency by which something is expressed or communicated; "the voice of the law"; "the Times is not the voice of New York"; "conservatism has many voices" wings - a means of flight or ascent; "necessity lends wings to inspiration" |
| 2. |  means - an instrumentality for accomplishing some endinstrumentation, instrumentality - an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end | |
| 3. |  means - considerable capital (wealth or income); "he is a man of means"capital - wealth in the form of money or property owned by a person or business and human resources of economic value pocketbook - your personal financial means; "that car is too expensive for my pocketbook" wherewithal - the necessary means (especially financial means) |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
means
plural noun
by all means certainly, surely, of course, definitely, absolutely, positively, doubtlessly 'Can I come and see your house?' 'Yes, by all means.'
by means of by way of, using, through, via, utilizing, with the aid of, by dint of a course taught by means of lectures and seminars
by no means in no way, no way, not at all, definitely not, not in the least, on no account, not in the slightest, not the least bit, absolutely not This is by no means out of the ordinary.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
مَدخولات، إيراداتوَسَائِلُوَسيلَه
prostředkyzpůsobmožnostpeníze
middelmidlermåde
väline
sredstva
fjárráîleiî, aîferî, ráî
手段
수단
līdzeklisnaudas līdzekļiveids
na vsak načinpremoženjes pomočjosredstvo
medel
วิธี
phương tiện
means
[miːnz]A. N
1. (with sing vb) (= way) → manera fsing, modo msing; (= method) → medio msing
by any means → de cualquier manera, del modo que sea
not by any means → de ninguna manera or ningún modo
by any means possible → como sea/fuera posible, a como dé/diera lugar (CAm, Mex)
there is no means of doing it → no hay manera or modo de hacerlo
by some means or other → de alguna manera u otra, de algún modo u otro
by this means → de esta manera, de este modo
a means to an end → un medio para conseguir algo or un fin
by means of → por medio de
it moves by means of a pulley system → se mueve por medio de poleas
means of transport → medio m de transporte
see also fair 1 A1
by any means → de cualquier manera, del modo que sea
not by any means → de ninguna manera or ningún modo
by any means possible → como sea/fuera posible, a como dé/diera lugar (CAm, Mex)
there is no means of doing it → no hay manera or modo de hacerlo
by some means or other → de alguna manera u otra, de algún modo u otro
by this means → de esta manera, de este modo
a means to an end → un medio para conseguir algo or un fin
by means of → por medio de
it moves by means of a pulley system → se mueve por medio de poleas
means of transport → medio m de transporte
see also fair 1 A1
2. (in phrases)
by all means! → ¡claro que sí!, ¡por supuesto!
by all means take one → por favor toma uno
"is she a friend of yours?" - "by no means" → -¿es amiga suya? -de ninguna manera or ningún modo
they're by no means rich → no son ricos, ni mucho menos
it is by no means difficult → no es nada difícil
by no manner of means → en absoluto
by all means! → ¡claro que sí!, ¡por supuesto!
by all means take one → por favor toma uno
"is she a friend of yours?" - "by no means" → -¿es amiga suya? -de ninguna manera or ningún modo
they're by no means rich → no son ricos, ni mucho menos
it is by no means difficult → no es nada difícil
by no manner of means → en absoluto
3. (with pl vb) (Fin) → recursos mpl, medios mpl
we haven't the means to do it → no contamos con los recursos or los medios para hacerlo
to live beyond one's means → vivir por encima de sus posibilidades, gastar más de lo que se gana
a man of means → un hombre acaudalado
private means → rentas fpl (particulares)
to live within one's means → vivir de acuerdo con sus posibilidades
we haven't the means to do it → no contamos con los recursos or los medios para hacerlo
to live beyond one's means → vivir por encima de sus posibilidades, gastar más de lo que se gana
a man of means → un hombre acaudalado
private means → rentas fpl (particulares)
to live within one's means → vivir de acuerdo con sus posibilidades
B. CPD means test N → prueba f de haberes (para determinar si una persona tiene derecho a determinada prestación)
see also means-test
see also means-test
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
means
[ˈmiːnz] n
(= way) → moyen m
He'll do it by any possible means → Il le fera par tous les moyens.
a means of doing sth → un moyen de faire qch
a means of storing electricity → un moyen d'emmagasiner l'électricité
a means to do sth → un moyen de faire qch
a means to fight crime → un moyen de combattre la criminalité
to be a means to an end → être un moyen de parvenir à ses fins
by means of → au moyen de
He got in by means of a stolen key → Il est entré au moyen d'une clé volée. means of transport
He'll do it by any possible means → Il le fera par tous les moyens.
a means of doing sth → un moyen de faire qch
a means of storing electricity → un moyen d'emmagasiner l'électricité
a means to do sth → un moyen de faire qch
a means to fight crime → un moyen de combattre la criminalité
to be a means to an end → être un moyen de parvenir à ses fins
by means of → au moyen de
He got in by means of a stolen key → Il est entré au moyen d'une clé volée. means of transport
by all means (= of course) → mais certainement
"Can I come?" - "By all means!" → "Est-ce que je peux venir?" - "Mais certainement!"
"Can I come?" - "By all means!" → "Est-ce que je peux venir?" - "Mais certainement!"
by no means (= not at all) → nullement, en rien
This is by no means out of the ordinary → Cela n'est nullement extraordinaire., Cela ne sort en rien de l'ordinaire.
This is by no means out of the ordinary → Cela n'est nullement extraordinaire., Cela ne sort en rien de l'ordinaire.
npl (= wealth) → moyens mpl
It's available to everyone, regardless of means → C'est accessible à tout le monde, quels que soient ses moyens.
to live beyond one's means → vivre au-dessus de ses moyens
to live within one's means → vivre selon ses moyens means test, means-testmeans of transport n → moyen m de transportmean-spirited [ˌmiːnˈspɪrɪtɪd] adj → mesquin(e)means test n → contrôle m des conditions de ressourcesmeans-test [ˈmiːnztɛst] vt
to means-test sb → examiner les ressources de qn (avant d'accorder certaines prestations sociales)
It's available to everyone, regardless of means → C'est accessible à tout le monde, quels que soient ses moyens.
to live beyond one's means → vivre au-dessus de ses moyens
to live within one's means → vivre selon ses moyens means test, means-testmeans of transport n → moyen m de transportmean-spirited [ˌmiːnˈspɪrɪtɪd] adj → mesquin(e)means test n → contrôle m des conditions de ressourcesmeans-test [ˈmiːnztɛst] vt
to means-test sb → examiner les ressources de qn (avant d'accorder certaines prestations sociales)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
means
n
sing (= method) → Möglichkeit f; (= instrument) → Mittel nt; a means of transport → ein Beförderungsmittel nt; a means of escape → eine Fluchtmöglichkeit; a means to an end → ein Mittel nt → zum Zweck; I have/there is no means of doing it → es ist mir/es ist unmöglich, das zu tun; is there any means of doing it? → ist es irgendwie möglich, das zu tun?; there must be a means of doing it → es muss doch irgendwie or auf irgendeine Art zu machen sein; we’ve no means of knowing → wir können nicht wissen; he was the means of sending it → man ließ es durch ihn überbringen; they used him as the means of getting the heroin across the border → sie benutzten ihn, um das Heroin über die Grenze zu bringen; all known means have been tried → man hat alles Mögliche versucht; by means of something → durch etw, mittels einer Sache (gen) (form); by means of doing something → dadurch, dass man etw tut; by this means → dadurch, auf diese Weise; by some means or other → auf irgendeine Art und Weise, irgendwie
sing by all means! → (aber) selbstverständlich or natürlich!; by all means take one → nehmen Sie sich ruhig (eins); by no means, not by any means → keineswegs, durchaus nicht; (= under no circumstances) → auf keinen Fall
pl (= wherewithal) → Mittel pl; (= financial means) → Gelder pl, → Mittel pl; a man of means → ein vermögender Mann; private means → private Mittel pl; that is within/beyond my means → das kann ich mir leisten/nicht leisten; to live beyond one’s means → über seine Verhältnisse leben; to live within one’s means → seinen Verhältnissen entsprechend leben
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
means
[miːnz]1. n inv (method or way of doing) → mezzo, modo
to find a means to do or of doing sth → trovare il modo per fare qc
there is no means of doing it → non c'è mezzo or modo di farlo
a means to an end → un modo or mezzo per raggiungere i propri fini
by means of → per mezzo di
by this means → in questo modo, così
by some means or other → in un modo o nell'altro
by all means! → ma certamente!
by no means, not by any means → per niente, niente affatto
by all manner of means → in tutti i modi
to find a means to do or of doing sth → trovare il modo per fare qc
there is no means of doing it → non c'è mezzo or modo di farlo
a means to an end → un modo or mezzo per raggiungere i propri fini
by means of → per mezzo di
by this means → in questo modo, così
by some means or other → in un modo o nell'altro
by all means! → ma certamente!
by no means, not by any means → per niente, niente affatto
by all manner of means → in tutti i modi
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
means1
(miːnz) noun singular or plural the instrument(s), method(s) etc by which a thing is, or may be, done or made to happen. By what means can we find out?
by all means yes, of course. If you want to use the telephone, by all means do.
by means of using. We escaped by means of a secret tunnel.
by no means1. definitely not. `Can I go home now?' `By no means!
2. (also not by any means) not at all. I'm by no means certain to win.
means2
(miːnz) noun plural money available or necessary for living etc. She's a person of considerable means.
a man of means a wealthy or rich man.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
means
→ وَسَائِلُ prostředky middel Mittel τα μέσα medio väline moyens sredstva mezzi 手段 수단 inkomen midler środki meios средства medel วิธี yol phương tiện 财富Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009