(treated as sing. or pl)
that which enables a desired purpose to be achieved
the increasing use of email as a means of communication
the means of production
the method used to attain an end
They used any means at their disposal
(treated as pl) resources available for disposal; esp wealth
a man of means
by all means
of course; certainly
go ahead by all means
by any means
(in negative contexts) at all
He won't be persuaded by any means
by means of
with the help or use of
She escaped by means of a ladder
by no means
not at all; in no way
He is by no means rich