Part 6907

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Math.)</fld> <def>A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an <i>arithmetical mean</i>. A <i>geometrical mean</i> is the square root of the product of the quantities.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.</def>

<blockquote>Their virtuous conversation was a <b>mean</b> to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ. <i>Hooker.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>You may be able, by this <b>mean</b>, to review your own scientific acquirements. <i>Coleridge.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a <b>mean</b>. <i>Sir W. Hamilton.</i></blockquote>

<note>&hand; In this sense the word is usually employed in the plural form <i>means</i>, and often with a singular attribute or predicate, as if a singular noun.</note>

<blockquote>By <b>this means</b> he had them more at vantage. <i>Bacon.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>What other <b>means is</b> left unto us. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <pluf>pl.</pluf> <def>Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.</def>

<blockquote>Your <b>means</b> are very slender, and your waste is great. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <def>A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>The <b>mean</b> is drowned with your unruly base. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>Meantime; meanwhile.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Spenser.</i>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>A mediator; a go-between.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Piers Plowman.</i>

<blockquote>He wooeth her by <b>means</b> and by brokage. <i>Chaucer.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>By all means</col>, <cd>certainly; without fail; <as>as, go, <ex>by all means<ex></as>.</cd> -- <col>By any means</col>, <cd>in any way; possibly; at all.</cd></cs>

<blockquote>If <b>by any means</b> I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. <i>Phil. iii. ll.</i></blockquote>

-- <col>By no means</col>, &or; <col>By no manner of means</col>, not at all; certainly not; not in any degree.

<blockquote>The wine on this side of the lake is <b>by no means</b> so good as that on the other. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Meander</h1> <Xpage=905>

<hw>Me*an"der</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>Maeander</ets>, orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. <?/: cf. F. <ets>m\'82andre</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>A winding, crooked, or involved course; <as>as, the <ex>meanders</ex> of the veins and arteries</as>.</def>

<i>Sir M. Hale.</i>

<blockquote>While lingering rivers in <b>meanders</b> glide. <i>Sir R. Blackmore.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A tortuous or intricate movement.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>Fretwork. See <er>Fret</er>.</def>