means

means
means
W2S2 [mi:nz] n plural means
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1¦(method)¦
2¦(money)¦
3 by all means!
4 by no means/not by any means
5 by means of something
6 a means to an end
7 the means of production
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1.) ¦(METHOD)¦
a way of doing or achieving something
means of
For most people, the car is still their main means of transport .
The only means of communication was sign language.
The window was our only means of escape .
Do you have any means of identification ?
art as a means of expression
Homework should not be used as a means of controlling children.
I had no means of telling him I would be late.
Brian was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted.
They had entered the country by unlawful means .
the means by which performance is assessed
2.) ¦(MONEY)¦ [plural]
the money or income that you have
have the means to do sth
I don't have the means to support a family.
Paying for your children to go to a private school is beyond the means of most people (=too expensive for most people) .
Try to live within your means (=only spending what you can afford) .
His father was a man of means (=a rich man) .
3.) by all means!
spoken used to mean 'of course' when politely allowing someone to do something or agreeing with a suggestion
'Can I bring Alan?' 'By all means!'
4.) by no means/not by any means
not at all
It is by no means certain that the game will take place.
She's not a bad kid, by any means.
5.) by means of sth
formal using a particular method or system
The blocks are raised by means of pulleys.
6.) a means to an end
something that you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important
For Geoff, the job was simply a means to an end.
7.) the means of production
the material, tools, and equipment that are used in the production of goods
ways and means atway1 (1)
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COLLOCATES for sense 1
means of transport (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc)
means of communication
means of escape
means of identification (=an official document that shows who you are)
means of expression (=a way of expressing your feelings, opinions etc)
a means of doing something
have no means of doing something
use any means (=use any method, even if it is illegal or causes harm to other people)
by unlawful/illegal/unfair means
(whether) by fair means or foul (=using unfair methods if necessary)
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • means — [ minz ] (plural means) noun *** 1. ) count a method for doing or achieving something: WAY: Information is not easily obtained by any other means. an effective means for finding qualified job applicants means of: What means of transportation is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • means — [miːnz] noun [plural] the money and resources that a person or organization has available: means to do something • Large corporations have the means to pay large fines without suffering hardship. • The group has limited means. • young families… …   Financial and business terms

  • means — 1. When the meaning is ‘financial resources’, means is treated as plural: Their means are somewhat limited. When the meaning is ‘a way or method’ it can operate as a singular noun (when preceded by a determiner such as a, any, or every) or as a… …   Modern English usage

  • means — [mēnz] pl.n. 〚/span> MEAN3, n.〛 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of …   Universalium

  • means — n pl but sing or pl in constr 1 a: something enabling one to achieve a desired end a means of self defense b: cause (1) 2: resources (as income and assets) at one s disposal Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of La …   Law dictionary

  • means — ► PLURAL NOUN (also treated as sing. ) 1) an agent or method for achieving a result. 2) financial resources; income. 3) substantial resources; wealth. ● by all means Cf. ↑by all means ● by means of Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • means — [mēnz] pl.n. [< MEAN3, n.] 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of means] by all means 1 …   English World dictionary

  • Means — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: John Hugh Means (1812–1862), US amerikanischer Politiker Larry Means (* 1947), US amerikanischer Politiker Natrone Means (* 1972), US amerikanischer Footballspieler Rice W. Means (1877–1949), US… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Méans — Administration Nom italien Meana di Susa Nom piémontais Méans Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Means — may refer to: Means (surname) Definitions Mean (average), a term used in mathematics and statistics Means (ethics), something of instrumental value in order to achieve an end Means (law), an aspect of a crime needed to convince a jury of guilt in …   Wikipedia

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