I. ˈmēniŋ, -nēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mening, from gerund of menen to intend — more at mean III
1.
a. : the thing one intends to convey by an act or especially by language : purport
do not mistake my meaning
b. : the thing that is conveyed or signified especially by language : the sense in which something (as a statement) is understood : import
what is its meaning to you
2. : the thing that is meant or intended : intent , purpose , aim , object
a mischievous meaning was apparent
3. : significance
a look full of meaning
4.
a. or meaning in intension : the logical connotation of a word or phrase : the intension of a term : what a correct definition exhibits
b. or meaning in extension : the logical denotation or extension of a term : the thing or class named by a word or substantive phrase
5. : the pattern of engrams aroused by a given stimulus
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of mean (III)
1. : exhibiting a usually specified intent or purpose
a well- meaning man
2. : conveying or intended to convey meaning : significant
a meaning smile
• mean·ing·ly adverb
• mean·ing·ness noun -es