/mi:n; min/ v (pt, pp meant / ment; mZnt/)
1 [Tn, Tn.pr,Tf] ~ sth (to sb) (intend to) convey sth; signify sth 意指某事; 意思是
*A dictionary tells you what words mean. 词典是解释词义的工具书.
* What does this sentence mean? 这句子是什么意思?
* These symbols mean nothing to me. 这些符号我完全不明白是什么意思.
* The flashing lights mean that the road is blocked. 那闪动的灯光表示此路不通.
2 [Tn, Tf, Tg, Tsg] (be likely to) result in (sth) ; be a sign (that); involve （很可能）造成, 导致（某结果）; 是某事物的徵兆; 意味; 包含
*Spending too much now will mean a shortage of cash next year. 现在花钱过头, 来年就要缺钱.
* The sudden thaw means that spring is here. 一朝解冻, 便是春天来到.
* This new order will mean (us) working overtime. 这一新定单意味着（我们）得加班加点.
3 (a) [Tn, Tn.pr, Tf no passive 不用于被动语态, Tt, Tnt, Cn.n/a, Dn.n, Dn.pr] ~ sth for sb; ~ sth (as sth); ~ sth (to sb) have sth as a purpose; intend sth 怀有某目的; 打算; 意欲
*What does she mean by cancelling her performance? ie Why has she done it? 她取消自己的演出是什么意思?
* He means what he says, ie is not joking, exaggerating, etc. 他说话是当真的.
* Don't laugh! I mean it! ie I am serious. 别笑! 我真是这个意思!
* He means (to cause) trouble. 他存心捣乱.
* She meant this gift for you. 她这礼物是送给你的.
* I never meant that you should come alone. 我没打算要你单独来.
* She means to succeed. 她立意求成.
* I'm sorry I hurt you
*I didn't mean to. 对不起, 我弄伤了你; 我不是故意的.
* I wasn't serious. I meant it as a joke. 我并非有意. 我是想开个玩笑而已.
* I didn't mean you to read the letter. 我没有要你看这封信的意思.
* You're meant to (ie You are supposed to) pay before you come in. 你要交钱才能进来.
* I mean you no harm. 我并无伤害你的意思.
* He means no harm to anyone. 他无意伤害任何人.
(b) [Tn, Tf no passive 不用于被动语态] intend to say (sth) on a particular occasion 在某场合下想说（某事）; 意思是
*What did he mean by that remark? 他那样说是什么意思?
* Do you mean Miss Anne Smith or Miss Mary Smith? 你指的是安·史密斯小姐还是玛丽·史密斯小姐?
* Did he mean (that) he was dissatisfied with our service? 他的意思是不满意我们的服务吗?
4 [Tn.pr esp passive 尤用于被动语态, Tnt] ~ sb for sth intend or destine sb to be or do sth 打算或注定要某人成为或做某事物
*I was never meant for the army, ie did not have the qualities needed to become a soldier. 我根本就不是当兵的材料.
* She was never meant to be a teacher. 她从来就没注定要当教师.
* His father meant him to be an engineer. 他父亲打算让他当工程师.
5 [Tn.pr no passive 不用于被动语态] ~ sth to sb be of value or importance to sb 对某人有价值或重要
*Your friendship means a great deal to me. 你和我的友谊对我意义重大. *
20 means a lot (ie seems to be a lot of money) to a poor person. 20英镑对于穷人是个大数目.
* Money means nothing to him. 金钱对他来说是无所谓的.
* You don't know how much you mean to me, ie how much I like you. 你不知道我多么喜欢你.
6 (idm 习语) mean `business (infml 口) be serious in one's intentions 是认真的
*He means business
*he really will shoot us if we try to escape. 他不是说着玩的; 我们要是逃, 他真会开枪. mean `mischief intend to do sth wrong or harmful 有意弄坏或加害. `mean well (derog 贬) have good intentions, though perhaps not the will or ability to carry them out 怀有善意; 出于好心
*He's hopelessly inefficient, but I suppose he means well. 他低能得无以复加, 然而却是出于好心. mean well by sb have kindly intentions towards sb 对某人抱善意mean

/mi:n; min/
n
1 condition, quality, course of action,etc that is halfway between two extremes 中间; 中庸
*You must find a mean between frankness and rudeness. 你要在坦诚与唐突之间取其中.
2 (mathematics 数)
(a) midway point, quantity, etc between two extremes; average 中数; 平均数; 平均值
*The mean of 13,
5 and
27 is found by adding them together and dividing by 3. 13、5和27的平均数可将三数相加再除以3求得.
(b) term between the first and the last of a series 比例中项
*In 1:3 :
*3:9, the mean is 3. 在1:3 :
*3:9中, 比例中项是3.
3 (idm 习语) the happy/golden mean moderate course of action 中庸之道.

adj [attrib 作定语] midway between two extremes; average 中间的; 平均的
*the mean annual temperature 年平均温度.

/mi:n; min/
adj (-er, -est)
1 ~ (with sth) ungenerous; selfish (esp with money) 吝啬的; 自私的（尤指金钱方面）
*be very mean with money 对钱十分吝啬
* She's too mean to make a donation. 她很小气, 不肯捐款.
2 ~ (to sb) (of people or their behaviour) unworthy; unkind （指人或人的行为）卑鄙的, 不善良的
*That was a mean trick! 那是卑鄙的伎俩!
* It was mean of you to eat all the food. 你把东西全吃光了, 你可太坏了.
* Don't be so mean to your little brother! 别对你弟弟那么刻薄!
* I feel rather mean for not helping more. 我未能多帮忙, 十分抱歉.
3 (esp US) nasty; vicious 刻毒的; 邪恶的
*A rattlesnake is a really mean creature. 响尾蛇是很凶的动物.
* He looks like a mean character. 他看上去不似善类.
4 poor in appearance, quality, etc; shabby-looking 难看的; 劣质的; 简陋的; 破旧的
*the mean little houses where the poorest people live 最穷苦的人赖以栖身的破败小屋.
5 (esp of the understanding or abilities) inferior （尤指理解力或能力）低劣的, 平庸的
*This should be clear even to the meanest intelligence. 就是对智 力最差的人来说, 这也应当是很清楚的.
6 (dated 旧) of humble birth or low social rank 出身微贱的; 社会地位低下的
*The meanest labourer has the same rights as the richest landowner. 最贫贱的劳动者享有和最富的地主同样的权利.
7 (infml approv 口, 褒) very skilful, effective, etc 熟练的; 有效的; 出色的
*a mean golfer, chess-player, etc 出色的高尔夫球手、国际象棋选手等
* a new tennis champion with a mean service 发球刁钻的新网球冠军.
8 (idm 习语) no mean sth (approv 褒) a very good or great performer or performance 出色的或了不起的表演者或表现
*She's no mean player. 她是个中高手.
* That was no mean achievement. 那是巨大的成就.