- means
- meansW2S2 [mi:nz] n plural means▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(method)¦2¦(money)¦3 by all means!4 by no means/not by any means5 by means of something6 a means to an end7 the means of production▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(METHOD)¦a way of doing or achieving somethingmeans 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 assessed2.) ¦(MONEY)¦ [plural]the money or income that you havehave 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 meansnot 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 sthformal using a particular method or system▪ The blocks are raised by means of pulleys.6.) a means to an endsomething 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 productionthe material, tools, and equipment that are used in the production of goods▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 1means of transport (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc)means of communicationmeans of escapemeans 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 somethinghave no means of doing somethinguse 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)▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.