MEAN

v.tr. (past and past part. meant) 1 a (often foll. by to + infin.) have as one's purpose or intention; have in mind (they really mean mischief; I didn't mean to break it). b (foll. by by) have as a motive in explanation (what do you mean by that?). 2 (often in passive) design or destine for a purpose (mean it to be used; mean it for a stopgap; is meant to be a gift). 3 intend to convey or indicate or refer to (a particular thing or notion) (I mean we cannot go; I mean Richmond in Surrey). 4 entail, involve (it means catching the early train). 5 (often foll. by that + clause) portend, signify (this means trouble; your refusal means that we must look elsewhere). 6 (of a word) have as its explanation in the same language or its equivalent in another language. 7 (foll. by to) be of some specified importance to (a person), esp. as a source of benefit or object of affection etc. (that means a lot to me). ømean business be in earnest. mean it not be joking or exaggerating. mean to say really admit (usu. in interrog.: do you mean to say you have lost it?). mean well (often foll. by to, towards, by) have good intentions. [OE mónan f. WG, rel. to MIND]