[mean.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the thing one intends to convey esp. by language: purport b: the thing that is conveyed esp. by language: import
2: something meant or intended: aim "a mischievous ~ was apparent"
3: significant quality; esp: implication of a hidden or special significance "a glance full of ~"
4. a: the logical connotation of a word or phrase b: the logical denotation or extension of a word or phrase -- meaning adj -- mean.ing.ly adv