Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Mean \Mean\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Meant}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meaning}.] [OE. menen, AS. m[=ae]nan to recite, tell,
intend, wish; akin to OS. m[=e]nian to have in mind, mean, D.
meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan.
mene, and to E. mind. ?. See {Mind}, and cf. {Moan}.]
1. To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to
intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do
?
What mean ye by this service ? --Ex. xii. 26.
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good. --Gen. 1. 20.
I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not
to mean it. --Longfellow.
2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.
What mean these seven ewe lambs ? --Gen. xxi.
29.
Go ye, and learn what that me?neth. --Matt. ix.
13.
Meaning \Mean"ing\, n.
1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim;
object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.
If there be any good meaning towards you. --Shak.
2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage;
signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint.
3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.] -- {Mean"ing*less}, a. --
{Mean"ing*ly}, adv.
Source : WordNet®
meaning
adj : rich in significance or implication; "a meaning look";
"pregnant with meaning" [syn: {meaning(a)}, {pregnant},
{significant}]
meaning
n 1: the message that is intended or expressed or signified;
"what is the meaning of this sentence"; "the
significance of a red traffic light"; "the signification
of Chinese characters"; "the import of his announcement
was ambigtuous" [syn: {significance}, {signification}, {import}]
2: the idea that is intended; "What is the meaning of this
proverb?" [syn: {substance}]