(~s)
1.
You use ~ to describe things or actions which are small or unimportant but are meant to show particular intentions or feelings which may not be sincere.
The announcement was welcomed as a step in the right direction, but was widely seen as a ~ gesture...
ADJ: ADJ n
2.
A ~ is a piece of paper or card that can be exchanged for goods, either in a particular shop or as part of a special offer. (BRIT; in AM, use coupon )
Here is the fifth ~ towards our offer. You need six of these ~s.
N-COUNT: oft n N
3.
A ~ is a round flat piece of metal or plastic that is sometimes used instead of money.
Some of the older telephones still only accept ~s.
N-COUNT
4.
If you give something to a person or do something for them as a ~ of your feelings, you give it or do it as a way of expressing those feelings.
As a ~ of goodwill, I’m going to write another letter.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n
5.
You use by the same ~ to introduce a statement that you think is true for the same reasons that were given for a previous statement.
If you give up exercise, your muscles shrink and fat increases. By the same ~, if you expend more energy you will lose fat.
PHRASE: PHR with cl