(mēn) v. meant, mean·ing v.t.
1. To have in mind as a purpose or intent: I meant to visit him.
2. To intend or design for some purpose, destination, etc.: Was that remark meant for me?
3. To intend to express or convey: That's not what I meant.
4. To have as the particular sense or significance; denote; portend: Those clouds mean snow.
—v.i.
5. To have disposition or intention; be disposed: He means well.
6. To be of specified importance or influence: Her beauty means everything to her. See synonyms under IMPORT, PURPOSE. ♦ Homophone: mien. [OE mænan tell, wish, intend]

(mēn) adjective
1. Low in grade, quality, or condition; of humble antecedents; lowly; also, indicative of or suited to low rank; poor; inferior; shabby.
2. Colloq. Disagreeable; unpleasant; unkind; wicked.
3. Ignoble in mind, character, and spirit; lacking magnanimity or honor; base; petty; also, miserly; stingy.
4. Worthy of no respect; slight or contemptible.
5. Of little value or efficiency.
6. Not fit for cultivation: said of land.
7. Vicious or unmanageable: said of horses.
8. Colloq. Irritable; ashamed; paltry; also, ill: to feel mean. See synonyms under BAD, BASE, COMMON, INSIGNIFICANT, LITTLE, SMALL, VULGAR. ♦ Homophone: mien. [OE (ge)mæne common, ordinary]
—mean′ly adverb
—mean′ness noun

(mēn) noun
1. The middle state between two extremes; hence, moderation; avoidance of excess; medium: the happy mean.
2. Math. A quantity having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between several quantities: the arithmetical mean.
3. plural The medium through which anything is done; instrumentality: used often with singular construction: a means to an end.
4. plural Money or property as a procuring medium; wealth.
5. A plan of procedure.
6. Logic The middle term in a syllogism.
7. Obs. An intermediary; mediator. See synonyms under AGENT.
—arithmetical mean The quotient of the sum of two or more quantities divided by the number of quantities; the average.
—by all means Without hesitation; certainly.
—by any means
1. In any manner possible; somehow; at all.
2. By all means.
—by no manner of means Most certainly not; not for any consideration; on no account whatever: also by no means.
—geometric (or geometrical) mean The square root of the product of two given numbers.
—golden mean A wise moderation; the avoidance of extremes.
—adjective
1. Intermediate as to position between extremes.
2. Intermediate as to size, degree, or quality; medium; average.
3. Intermediate as to time; intervening.
4. Having an intermediate value between two extremes or among several values; average: the mean distance covered daily. ♦ Homophone: mien. [<OF meien <L medianus <medius middle. Doublet of MEDIAN, MESNE, MIZZEN.]