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 at ↑way¹ (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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