mean
Cross references:
1. average
1. mean \'me-n\ aj [ME mene, fr. imene, fr. OE gem-ne; akin to OHG
(Xgimeini common, L communis common, munus service, gift 1: lacking
distinction or eminence : HUMBLE 2: lacking power or acumen : ORDINARY 3:
SHABBY, CONTEMPTIBLE 4: IGNOBLE, BASE 5: PENURIOUS, STINGY 6a:
characterized by petty selfishness or malice 6b: HARASSING, VEXATIOUS
slang 6c: EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE 7a: ASHAMED 7b: UNWELL, INDISPOSED g
repellent characteristics (as small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity);
IGNOBLE suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or
spirit; ABJECT may imply degradation, debasement, or servility; SORDID is
stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation
and abjectness SYN syn IGNOBLE, ABJECT, SORDID: MEAN suggests havin
2. mean \'me-n\ \'ment\ \'me--nin\ vb or meant; or mean.ing [ME menen fr.
OE m-nan; akin to OHG meinen to hav]e in mind, OSlav me-niti to
mention 1: to have in the mind as a purpose : INTEND 2: to serve to
convey, show, or indicate : SIGNIFY 3: to direct to a particular
individual 1: to have an intended purpose {he ~s well} 2: to be of a
specified degree of importance {health ~s ever ything} : to be in earnest
- mean business
3. mean \'me-n\ n 1a1: something intervening or intermediate 1a2: a middle
point between extremes 1b1: a value that lies within a range of values,
that is computed from the range according to a prescribed law, and that
represents the range; specif : ARITHMETIC MEAN 1b2: the arithmetic mean of
the two extremes of a range of values 1b3: either of the middle two terms
of a proportion pl but sing or pl in constr 2: something useful or
helpful to a desired end pl 3: resources available for disposal; esp :
material resources affor ding a secure lifeY, MEDIUM mean something or
someone necessary or useful in effecting an end. MEAN or usu. MEANS is very
general and may be abstract in applying to a person or thing of any sort;
INSTRUMENT suggests a degree of applicability or adaptability for achieving
a definite purpose; applied to a person it often suggests one acting at
another's will without full moral responsibility; AGENT applies to a person
acting to achieve an end conceived by another or to a thing producing an
immediate effect or definite result; MEDIUM implies a usu. intangible means
of conveying, transmitting, or communicating SYN syn MEAN (or MEANS),
INSTRUMENT, AGENT, AGENC
4. mean \'me-n\ aj [ME mene, fr. MF meien, fr. L medianus - more at
MEDIAN)M 1: occupying a middle position : intermediate in space, order,
time, kin d, or degree 2: occupying a position about midway between
extremes : as 2a: being near the average 2b: of a moderate degree of
excellence : MIDDLING 2c: being the mean of a set of values : AVERAGE {~
tempera ture} 3: serving as a means : INTERMEDIARY