Mean



GRE 蓝宝 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• adj.卑贱的, 吝啬的

Webster Collegiate

I. verb (meant; meaning)

• Etymology: Middle English menen, from Old English m?nan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavic měniti to mention
• Date: before 12th century
• transitive verb
  • 1.
    • a. to have in the mind as a purpose ; intend <she means to win> — sometimes used interjectionally with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis<he throws, I mean, hard> or to introduce a phrase restating the point of a preceding phrase<we try to answer what we can, but I mean we're not God — Bobbie Ann Mason>
    • b. to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future <I was meant to teach>
  • 2. to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate ; signify <a red sky means rain>
  • 3. to have importance to the degree of <health means everything>
  • 4. to direct to a particular individual
• intransitive verb
  • to have an intended purpose <he means well>
• ? meaner noun

II. adjective

• Etymology: Middle English mene, from imene common, shared, from Old English gem?ne; akin to Old High German gimeini common, Latin communis common, munus service, gift, Sanskrit mayate he exchanges
• Date: 14th century
• 1. lacking distinction or eminence ; humble
• 2. lacking in mental discrimination ; dull
• 3.
  • a. of poor shabby inferior quality or status <mean city streets>
  • b. worthy of little regard ; contemptible — often used in negative constructions as a term of praise<no mean feat>
• 4. lacking dignity or honor ; base
• 5.
  • a. penurious, stingy
  • b. characterized by petty selfishness or malice
  • c. causing trouble or bother ; vexatious
  • d. excellent, effective <plays a mean trumpet><a lean, mean athlete>
• 6. ashamed 1b
• ? meanness noun
• Synonyms:
  • mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests having such repellent characteristics as small-m

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