Something likened metaphorically to a key in having the power to open or close something else; a thing which provides access or opportunity; a…

figurative. Anything used in the manner of a tool; a thing (concrete or abstract) with which some operation is performed; a means of effecting…

With ellipsis of antecedent, or as nominal relative involving antecedent (cf. what, pron. III.): That, or something, with which; the means by…

With of. A person or thing used to achieve a purpose or intention, or to convey something. Obsolete.

An instrument, agency, method, or course of action employed to attain some object or bring about some… In plural, with plural or indeterminate…

A thing, method, course of action, etc., used to bring about a result or accomplish a purpose; a means by which something is done or effected.

A means of action or operation, an instrument; (now) esp. a person, body of people, or thing by which some purpose is carried out or some function is…

= mean, n.3 3a. Obsolete.

A means, an agency. Cf. mean, n.3 3. Obsolete.

figurative. A means or opportunity of doing or dealing with something; esp. a way of controlling, managing, or understanding a person, situation…

figurative. A person or thing likened to a hackney horse. Obsolete.

gen. The formula of a preparation, or an account of the means, for bringing about some end; (in extended use) the means for attaining an end. Cf. r…

A thing, esp. a drug, which operates. Obsolete.

An instance or a product of ingenuity; a contrivance or means. In a bad sense: a plot, a snare, a wile. Obsolete.

The action or an instance of putting something in contact with another thing; the action of administering, using, or putting into practice…

The means by which something is done; the material cause or instrument through which an effect is produced (often implying a rational employer or…

Material for action, or upon which to exercise a skill, faculty, etc.; means; wherewithal. Obsolete.

Scottish. A means of doing or achieving something. Obsolete.

figurative and in figurative context.

With ellipsis of antecedent, or as nominal relative: = wherewith, adv. 2b.(a) followed by infinitive with to; (b) with ellipsis of inf. (See also 2c)…

figurative. Something serving to facilitate a transaction, to bring on a condition, or to procure acceptance for something else.

An agent, instrument, tool, or means. With reference to a thing.

A person or thing used to bring about a result or accomplish a purpose; an instrument (instrument, n. 3), a means. Obsolete.

figurative and in figurative context. Now rare.

An agent or instrument; a means. Obsolete.

Probably a compositorial misreading of organes, plural of organ, n.1 (cf. sense 5a s.v.).

A material means, channel, or instrument by which a substance or some property of matter (as sound or heat) is conveyed or transmitted from one…

A material means, channel, or instrument, by which a property, substance, or influence is conveyed or transmitted; a medium, a conduit; = vehicle, n.…

transferred said of things. rare.

Frequently in plural. Favourable conditions or circumstances for the easy or easier performance of something. Also in singular, esp. in every facility…

An efficient agent. Obsolete. rare.

Something which is used to bring about a result or accomplish a purpose; a means; an instrument (instrument, n. 3b). Now frequently in legal contexts.

Something that helps forward, or that conduces to an object; a means to an end. Obsolete. rare.

Such action embodied or personified; a being or thing that acts to produce a particular effect or result. Cf. agent, n.1 3.

figurative. (Cf. weapon, n. 1c.)

A device, method, means.

gen. A means by which an effect or result is produced.