different between means vs signifies

English

Etymology

See mean (“method or course of action used to achieve some result”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mi?nz/
• Rhymes: -i?nz

Noun

means

1. plural of mean

means (plural means)

1. An instrument or condition for attaining a purpose.

   A car is a means of transport.

means pl (plural only) (uncountable)

1. Resources; riches.

   He was living beyond his means.

Usage notes

Frequently contrasted with end (“goal”), as in “a means to an end”. Similar contrast is process vs. product.

Synonyms

• wherewithal

Translations

Verb

means

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of mean

Anagrams

• Mensa, Seman, amens, manes, manse, mensa, mesna, names, namés, neams, ñames

Latin

Etymology

Present active participle of me? (“go along, traverse”)

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?me.ans/, [?meä??s?]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /?me.ans/, [?m???ns]

Participle

me?ns (genitive meantis); third-declension one-termination participle

1. going along, passing, traversing

Declension

Third-declension participle.

¹When used purely as an adjective.

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s??n?fa?z/
• Hyphenation: sig?ni?fies

Verb

signifies

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of signify

French

Verb

signifies

1. second-person singular present indicative of signifier
2. second-person singular present subjunctive of signifier