Meaning

as 'action to intend'

Morphological analysis

• Etymon: Meaning from Old English mǣnan: 'to intend'
• Morpheme breakdown: mean + -ing → 'action to intend'

Essential definition

Meaning: the 'action to intend'.

Semantic Context

• Conventional sense: The denotation, referent, or idea connected with a word, expression, or symbol. (Note: Semantic drift from essential meaning)
• Essential meaning (my usage): action to intend

Philosophical significance

This definition philosophically grounds meaning in human agency and pragmatism, shifting it from a static property to a dynamic process of intentional action. It emphasizes that meaning is created and verified through purposeful conduct and its observable consequences, tying existential and ethical significance directly to responsibility and future-oriented behavior.

Usage in this lexicon

When I use the word meaning in my work, I mean exactly 'action to intend'. This definition:

• clarifies that meaning is rooted in purpose and agency, not just abstract concepts;
• shifts focus from passive interpretation to active creation and responsibility;
• aligns with philosophical pragmatism, where meaning is found in practical consequences and use;
• emphasizes future-oriented thinking, as intention is directed toward a goal or outcome;
• provides a framework for evaluating meaning through observable actions and choices;
• reduces ambiguity by tethering meaning to deliberate human behavior and motivation;
• encourages consistency between stated values and actual conduct;
• supports psychological well-being by linking meaning to goal-directed engagement;
• offers a unifying principle across disciplines, from linguistics to ethics, based on intentional action;
• facilitates clearer communication by considering the speaker's or creator's intended effect;

Related terms

• Sense

Sources

• Wiktionary

*This definition follows morphological essentialism principles. See the Methodology for details.