meaning

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the idea that is intended

   What is the meaning of this proverb?

2. 2
   noun

   the message that is intended or expressed or signified

   what is the meaning of this sentence

3. 3
   noun

   The denotation, referent, or idea connected with a word, expression, or symbol.

   Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."

4. 4
   noun

   The purpose, value, or significance (of something) beyond the fact of that thing's existence.

   the meaning of life

5. 5
   noun

   Intention.

   It was their meaning to take what they needed by strong hand.

6. 6
   verb

   present participle and gerund of mean

   Chinghung, meaning “City of the Dawn” in the Tai language, the capital of the Hsishuangpanna Tai Autonomous Chou, lies in an agricultural area on the lower Lantsang.

7. 7
   adj

   Having a (specified) intention.

   Well/ill meaning.

8. 8
   adj

   Expressing some intention or significance; meaningful.

   I might, to-day, have been a better, and thus a happier man, had I less frequently rejected the counsels embodied in those meaning whispers which I then but too cordially hated and too bitterly despised.

Etymology

From Middle English mening, menyng, equivalent to mean + -ing. Cognate with Scots mening (“intent, purpose, sense, meaning”), West Frisian miening (“opinion, mind”), Dutch mening (“view, opinion, judgement”), German Meinung (“opinion, view, mind, idea”), Danish and Swedish mening (“meaning, sense, sentence, opinion”), Icelandic meining (“meaning”).