meaning

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: significancesignificationimportsubstancemeaning(a)pregnantsignificant

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  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 ambiguous”Synonyms: significancesignificationimport
  2. the idea that is intended“What is the meaning of this proverb?”Synonyms: substance

Adjective (1)

  1. rich in significance or implication“a meaning look”Synonyms: meaning(a)pregnantsignificant
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Mean \Mean\ (m[=e]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meant (m[e^]nt); 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. [root]104. 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? [1913 Webster]

What mean ye by this service ?— Ex. xii. 26.[1913 Webster]
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.— Gen. 1. 20.[1913 Webster]
I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not to mean it.— Longfellow.[1913 Webster]

2.To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote. [1913 Webster]

What mean these seven ewe lambs ?— Gen. xxi. 29.[1913 Webster]
Go ye, and learn what that meaneth.— Matt. ix. 13.[1913 Webster]
Meaning \Mean"ing\, n.

1.That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent. [1913 Webster]

If there be any good meaning towards you.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sense; import; as, the meaning of a hint. [1913 Webster]

3.Sense; power of thinking. [R.] [1913 Webster] -- Mean"ing*less, a. -- Mean"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

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