MEAN

I. verb (~t; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English menen, from Old English mǣnan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavic měniti to mention Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to have in the mind as a purpose ; intend , to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future , to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate ; signify , to have importance to the degree of , to direct to a particular individual, intransitive verb to have an intended purpose , ~er noun II. adjective Etymology: Middle English mene, from imene common, shared, from Old English gemǣne; akin to Old High German gimeini common, Latin communis common, munus service, gift, Sanskrit mayate he exchanges Date: 14th century lacking distinction or eminence ; humble , lacking in mental discrimination ; dull , 3. of poor shabby inferior quality or status , worthy of little regard ; contemptible , lacking dignity or honor ; base , 5. penurious , stingy , characterized by petty selfishness or malice, causing trouble or bother ; vexatious , excellent , effective , ashamed 1b, ~ness noun Synonyms: see: ~ III. adjective see: median Date: 14th century occupying a middle position ; intermediate in space, order, time, kind, or degree, occupying a position about midway between extremes, serving as a ~s ; intermediary , see: average IV. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. something intervening or intermediate, a middle point between extremes, a value that lies within a range of values and is computed according to a prescribed law: as, arithmetic ~ , expected value , either of the middle two terms of a proportion, something useful or helpful to a desired end, resources available for disposal