- [countable]
an action, an object or a system by which a result is achieved; a way of achieving or doing something 方式；方法；途径 - means of something
Email is a highly effective means of communication. 电子邮件是一种非常有效的交流方式。 The state is in control of the means of production. 国家控制着生产资料。 We needed to get to London but we had no means of transport. 我们需要去伦敦，但却没有任何交通工具。 Have you any means of identification? 你有没有任何身份证件？ - means of doing something
Is there any means of contacting him? 有没有什么办法和他取得联系？ - as a means of (doing) something
Interest rates are used as a means of controlling borrowing. 利率被用作控制借贷的手段。 - means to do something
They are using peaceful means to achieve their aims. 他们正在使用和平手段来实现他们的目标。 Music is the best means we have to reach a wide audience. 音乐是我们接触广大观众的最好手段。 - means to something
Equality is an end in itself, not just a means to a goal. 平等本身就是目的，而不仅仅是达到目标的手段。 - by… means
This weed can be controlled by various means. 这种杂草可以用各种方法控制。
Extra ExamplesThe nations tried to solve their differences by peaceful means. 这些国家试图通过和平手段解决他们的分歧。 Fishing is their only means of livelihood. 捕鱼是他们唯一的谋生手段。 We will use whatever means are necessary. 我们将采用任何必要的手段。 Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means. 侵犯著作权的方式包含以电子手段进行传播。 They cannot achieve their goal through legal means. 他们无法通过合法手段达到目的。 War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’. 战争是“以其它方法延续政策”，这种说法很出名。 We will use every possible means to achieve our objective. 我们将竭尽所能实现我们的目标。 Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries. 几个世纪以来黄金一直是首选的交易媒介。 Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination. 油灯那时是唯一的照明手段。 Painting had become his primary means of self-expression. 绘画已成为他自我表达的主要手段。 We must look for an alternative means of escape. 我们必须寻找另一种逃跑方式。 We have no means of knowing how they will react. 我们无法知道他们会作何反应。 The study aims to provide a means of testing the theory. 这项研究旨在提供一种检验理论的方法。 Television is an effective means of communication. 电视是一种有效的传播手段。 My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry. 我的英语老师教会了我如何欣赏诗歌。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- appropriate
- convenient
- effective
- …
- have
- use
- offer (somebody)
- …
- by means (of)
- through means
- means for
- …
- the end justifies the means
- a means to an end
- by any means necessary
- …
- means of something
- [plural]
the money that a person has 财富；钱财 a man of means (= a rich man) 有钱人 - according to somebody's means
People should pay according to their means. 人们应该按照各自的负担能力来消费。 - within somebody's means
Are the monthly repayments within your means (= can you afford them)? 这样按月还钱，你负担得了吗？ Try to live within your means (= not spend more money than you have). 要尽可能量入为出。 - beyond somebody's means
Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford). 私立学校的费用是大多数人无力支付的。 - means to do something
He doesn't have the means to support a wife and child. 他无钱养活妻小。 She must have independent means (= money that she did not earn) to live in such style. 她肯定有独立收入才能过这样的生活。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- independent
- private
- limited
- …
- have
- lack
- test
- according to your means
- beyond your means
- within your means
- …
- a man/woman of means
Word Originlate Middle English: plural of mean (noun), the early sense being ‘intermediary’.
Idioms
by all means
by fair means or foul
using dishonest methods if honest ones do not work 不择手段 She’s determined to win, by fair means or foul. 她决心要赢，那怕是不择手段。
by means of something
by no means | not by any (manner of) means
the end justifies the means
- (saying)
bad or unfair methods of doing something are acceptable if the result of that action is good or positive 只要目的正当，可以不择手段 He defended a morality in which the end justifies the means. 他为不择手段达到正当目的的道德观进行辩护。 That's only OK if you believe that the end justifies the means. 除非你认为只要目的正确可以不择手段，不然那是不可以接受的。
a means to an end
a thing or an action that is not interesting or important in itself but is a way of achieving something else （本身并不重要或有趣的）达到目的的手段
ways and means
the methods and materials available for doing something （做某事现有的）方法和资源，手段和财力 ways and means of raising money 筹资办法 Newspapers have ways and means of getting hold of secret information. 报纸总有办法搞到秘密消息。