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“Mean” or “Mesne” or “Mien”

mean / mesne / mien are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

mean m·IY·n

  • nounan average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n.
  • verbmean or intend to express or convey.
  • verbdenote or connote.
  • verbhave a specified degree of importance.
  • verbdestine or designate for a certain purpose.
  • adjectiveexcellent.
  • adjective(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity.

mesne

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

mien m·IY·n

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“mean”

  • …Commercial of 1979: Coca-Cola (featuring Mean Joe)
  • …Hiss, by stating "Alger, I mean Adlai..." in his speeches.
  • …phrase, used in English to mean "in his own right".
  • These two trends may mean crowdfunding is most suited to…
  • …name may be interpreted to mean "family core".
  • Mulberry Plantation could mean:
  • Coquelet can mean:
  • …using it to express the mean force on the nuclei caused…
  • The mean speed of the East Madagascar…
  • I didn't really mean it, nothing in a bad

“mesne”

  • The manor became a Mesne lordship and was held after…

“mien”

  • Many Iu Mien American elders were involved with…
  • …Oregon, most of the Iu Mien populations are resided in Salem…
  • [4] 大越歷朝登科錄-Nguyen Hoan, Vu Mien et al.
  • Iu Mien Americans are Americans, primarily Indochinese…
  • The Iu Mien scriptures and stories were told…
  • There are approximately 50,000 Mien in the US as of…
  • Mien Schopman-Klaver (born 1911)
  • Achievement awards were given to Mien American military service members, doctors,…
  • …this homeland of the Yao/Iu Mien.
  • Iu Mien originated from China to Vietnam,…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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